Pakistan offers dialogue; India expects safe return of its pilot

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has said his country will be compelled to respond if India violates sovereignty of Pakistan.

In his address to nation on Wednesday, Imran Khan also invited India's decision makers to hold dialogue, report Reuters and Dawn.

Meanwhile, India’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday it had told Pakistan’s acting high commissioner that New Delhi expects the immediate and safe return of a military pilot held by Pakistan.

Earlier, India and Pakistan both said they shot down each other’s fighter jets on Wednesday, a day after Indian warplanes struck inside Pakistan for the first time since 1971, prompting world powers to urge restraint.

India said it had lost one of its planes in combat with Pakistan over Kashmir and a pilot was missing. It summoned Pakistan’s acting envoy to serve a diplomatic demarche.

“It was made clear that Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defence personnel in its custody. India also expects his immediate and safe return,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Imran Khan said, "I once again invite you (India): we are ready. We understand the grief India has suffered in Pulwama and are ready for any sort of dialogue on terrorism. I reiterate that better sense should prevail."

"Let's sit together and settle this with talks," the Pakistan PM said.

He said it is not in Pakistan's interest to let his country's land be used for terrorism.

"Yet, I had still feared that India would still take action, and I had therefore warned India against aggression and said we will be compelled to respond because no sovereign country can allow that [violation of its sovereignty]," Imran said.

He mentioned that all wars are miscalculated and no one knows where they lead to.

"I ask India: with the weapons you have and the weapons we have, can we really afford such a miscalculation? If this escalates, things will no longer be in my control or in Modi's," he warned.