'Indian intrusion was violation of UN charter', Qureshi tells US diplomat

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday termed Indian intrusion open violation of the United Nations’ charter, ARY News reported.

Talking to United States National Security Adviser John Bolton, who telephoned him, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Pakistan had shot down the Indian fighter jets in self defence. He apprise the US diplomat about the regional security situation after the Pulwama attack.

The foreign minister said that Pakistan wanted pace in the region and added that they had reload the Indian pilot as a ‘peace gesture’. He said that Pakistan had sent back its high commissioner to New Delhi and a delegation would leave for India on March 14 to finalize the Kartarpur corridor agreement.

US National Security Adviser John Bolton hailed Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and Islamabad’s role in Afghan peace process.

Read More: U.S. acting Pentagon chief focused on de-escalating India-Pakistan tensions

Earlier acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan was focused on de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan and had urged them both to avoid further military action, the Pentagon had said on February 28, without saying if he had spoken with his counterparts from either nation.

In a statement, the Pentagon had said Shanahan had spoken with senior U.S. military officials about the situation.

“Acting Secretary Shanahan’s focus is on de-escalating tensions and urging both of the nations to avoid further military action,” the statement had added.