France welcomes release of IAF Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman
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In a statement French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian said, 'I welcome the easing of tensions between India and Pakistan as well as the release of the Indian Air Force pilot detained in Pakistan.'
The French government has welcomed the release of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman by Pakistan. It is the first nation to react on the release of Abhinandan Varthaman who was taken into custody by Pakistan after his jet went down following a strike by the enemy missile on February 27.
In a statement French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian said, "I welcome the easing of tensions between India and Pakistan as well as the release of the Indian Air Force pilot detained in Pakistan."
"I hail the two governments’ choice of restraint and responsibility and urge them to resume bilateral dialogue," he added.
He also reiterated France's solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms.
On Friday, France assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council and said that it "will do its utmost so that those responsible for the terrible attack in Pulwama are sanctioned."
US, UK and France have proposed listing of Jaish e Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist in the aftermath of Pulwama attack, the worst attack on Indian forces in last two decades by Pakistan based terror organisations.
In the aftermath of Indian air strikes on terror camps of JeM in Pakistan, Paris had said, it recognises "India’s legitimacy" to ensure its "security against cross-border terrorism" and asked Pakistan to put an "end to the operations of terrorist groups established on its territory."
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