[Interestingly, the press release (at sl. no. I. below) has no mention of the (alleged) scuttling of the Indian move to bomb Pakistani cities and Pakistan's determination to retaliate thrice as strong (as reported in Pakistani media - ref. sl. no. V. below, and also, reportedly, endorsed by its Prime Minister - ref. sl. no. VI. below).
Here are two sources from two countries reporting on the talk. I. <https://www.dawn.com/news/1468994>. II. < https://www.news18.com/news/india/pakistan-foreign-minister-briefs-us-about-steps-taken-to-de-escalate-tensions-with-india-2063679.html > Here's another report from an Indian media house claiming that the Indian PoW had to be released under the US, and also UK, pressure: < https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/us-played-key-role-in-release-of-wing-commander-abhinandan-varthaman/articleshow/68367092.cms> (at sl. no. IV. below). A sort of, somewhat toned down, mirror image of: < https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/440084-us-pulled-back-india-after-pak-threat-to-hit-back> (at sl. no. V. below). The common running thread, however, is the attribution of a key role to the US administration, in de-escalating the conflict, post Feb. 26-27. By both the feuding sides. Some credit to the UK as well. The following extract from the Dawn report deserves special attention: "The US official told Qureshi that he and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, despite being actively engaged in talks with North Korea, were monitoring the Pak-India situation and kept contact with the leadership of the two countries to ensure that the security situation in the South Asia region did not deteriorate." This has been echoed by the News18 (India) report as well: "Ambassador Bolton said that he and Secretary of State Pompeo, despite being actively engaged in talks with North Korea in Hanoi, monitored the developments between India and Pakistan and kept contact with the leadership of two countries to ensure that the security situation in the South Asia region did not deteriorate, the statement said." (Quite remarkably, the News18 gives a good coverage of the version dished out by the Pakistani Foreign Office.) Not to miss that the Indian Foreign Secretary is visiting the US capital to present the Indian side in person, across the table. That, understandably, goes to indicate the level of engagement of and concerns among the US dignitaries. It's specifically, in this context, it'd be profitable to recall the following. On 24th, he had talked of India's desire for a "very strong response" (ref: < https://indianexpress.com/article/world/pulwama-attack-donald-trump-india-looking-at-something-very-strong-5598334/>); on 26th, Indian fighter jets would intrude into Pakistani airspace to carry out bombing of specific target(s), successfully or otherwise. Thereby broke a long held taboo, globally observed. Pakistan would hit back likewise the very next day. Thereby triggering serious concerns all around. Then,Trump, while responding to a question about the spiking tensions between India and Pakistan, said "We have some reasonably decent news. Hopefully that (tension) is going to be coming to an end." Also relevant: "They have been going at it and we have been involved in trying to have them stop," Trump said. "We have been in the middle trying to help them both out." (Ref.: < https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/donald-trump-says-hopefully-india-pakistan-conflict-coming-to-an-end-1551339122573.html >.) Soon thereafter, the Pak Prime Minister, on the floor of the national legislature, intervening in a discussion, would announce the decision to return back the Indian PoW, the very next day. In the past, of course, the US interlocutors were appreciably more reticent to let the heads of the two feuding neighbours claim the credit. In order to facilitate the process. To recount past history, the US interventions had brought about Vajpayee's bus trip to Lahore (ref.: < https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/greenyouth/EEsImLVxbkA>, < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/281764.stm>, < https://www.nytimes.com/1999/02/04/world/indian-leader-accepts-pakistani-offer-to-take-a-ride-to-lahore.html>, < https://theprint.in/opinion/kargil-what-kind-of-a-democracy-are-we-that-we-are-shy-of-facing-the-truth-about-our-wars/69936/> and <http://in.rediff.com/news/1999/feb/11dixit.htm>), Musharraf coming to Agra (ref.: <https://www.facebook.com/notes/10150224999460437/>) and, in between, the closure of Kargil without apocalypse (ref.: < http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/05/14/the-story-of-how-nawaz-sharif-pulled-back-from-nuclear-war/>, < https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/pakistan-india-nuclear-bomb-kargil-war-former-cia-officer-sandy-berger-bruce-riedel-a6758501.html>, < https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/nawaz-sharifs-pleas-and-bill-clintons-intervention-in-the-kargil-war/74007/> and < https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/WCPD-1999-07-12/pdf/WCPD-1999-07-12-Pg1278.pdf >). But, the limits of effectiveness of such interventions are also pretty clearly demonstrated.] I/VI. http://www.mofa.gov.pk/pr-details.php US National Security Advisor Ambassador John Bolton's telephonic call to the Foreign Minister (2019-03-11) US National Security Advisor, Ambassador John Bolton and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a telephonic conversation this afternoon to discuss regional security situation following the Pulwama incident. The purpose of the call was to provide him Pakistan’s perspective on the recent regional developments. Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Indian aggression of 26 February was a violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as the UN Charter. He also said that Pakistan’s response on 27 February was purely in self-defence against external aggression. Foreign Minister Qureshi informed Ambassador Bolton about the de-escalatory measures taken by Pakistan. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to hand over the Indian pilot as a gesture of goodwill towards India. Pakistan wished peace and stability in the region. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to New Delhi had also returned to Delhi after consultations. Pakistan would send an official delegation to India on 14 March 2019 to discuss the agreement on the operationalization of the Kartarpur Corridor. Pakistan was also ready to continue weekly contacts at the Military Operations Directorate level. Ambassador John Bolton said that he and Secretary of State Pompeo, despite being actively engaged in talks with DPRK in Hanoi, monitored the developments between India and Pakistan and kept contact with the leadership of two countries to ensure that the security situation in the South Asia region did not deteriorate. He appreciated Pakistan measures which had helped lowering the tension and urged continued restraint on both sides. The need for dialogue between Pakistan and India to find peaceful resolution to all outstanding disputes was also emphasized. The Foreign Minister cautioned against any Indian misadventure, keeping in view the forthcoming elections. Ambassador Bolton concurred. Ambassador Bolton also appreciated Pakistan’s important role in the Afghan peace process. Both leaders agreed to work together to pursue the process. Islamabad, 11th March, 2019 II/VI. https://www.dawn.com/news/1468994 FM Qureshi, US national security advisor discuss regional security post-Pulwama attack Naveed Siddiqui March 11, 2019 Facebook Count *Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and US National Security Adviser John Bolton held a telephonic conversation on Monday to discuss the regional security situation following the Pulwama incident.* The purpose of the call, according to a press release issued by the Foreign Office (FO), was to provide Pakistan’s perspective on recent regional developments. Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Indian aggression of Feb 26 was a violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as the UN Charter. He also said that Pakistan’s response a day later was purely in self-defence against external aggression. The foreign minister informed Bolton about the de-escalatory measures taken by Pakistan, reminding him of Prime Minister Imran Khan's decision to hand over the Indian pilot as a gesture of goodwill towards India and the country's desire to have peace and stability in the region. The US official told Qureshi that he and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, despite being actively engaged in talks with North Korea, were monitoring the Pak-India situation and kept contact with the leadership of the two countries to ensure that the security situation in the South Asia region did not deteriorate. He reportedly appreciated Pakistan's measures, which he said had helped lowering the tensions. He urged continued restraint on both sides. The need for dialogue between Pakistan and India to find a peaceful resolution to all outstanding disputes was also emphasized, according to the FO press release. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Qureshi cautioned against any future Indian misadventure, keeping in view the forthcoming elections across the border. Bolton also appreciated Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process as both leaders agreed to work together to pursue the process. III/VI. https://www.news18.com/news/india/pakistan-foreign-minister-briefs-us-about-steps-taken-to-de-escalate-tensions-with-india-2063679.html Pakistan Foreign Minister Briefs US About Steps Taken To De-escalate Tensions with India Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday briefed US National Security Advisor John Bolton about Pakistan's perspective on the recent regional developments. PTI Updated:March 11, 2019, 8:27 PM IST Pakistan Foreign Minister Briefs US About Steps Taken To De-escalate Tensions with India File photo of Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. (REUTERS) Islamabad: Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday briefed US National Security Advisor John Bolton about the measures taken by Islamabad to de-escalate tensions with India following the Pulwama terror attack. Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting the biggest JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured Indian pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. The Foreign Office (FO) said that Qureshi and Bolton, during their telephonic conversation, discussed regional security situation following the Pulwama incident. "The purpose of the call was to provide him Pakistan's perspective on the recent regional developments," the FO said. Qureshi's call to Bolton came ahead of Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale's meetings with top Trump Administration officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in Washington. Qureshi said the Indian "aggression" of February 26 was a violation of Pakistan's territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as the UN Charter. He also said that Pakistan's response on February 27 was "purely in self-defence against external aggression". The FO said the foreign minister "informed Bolton about the de-escalatory measures taken by Pakistan". Qureshi said that Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to hand over the Indian pilot as a gesture of goodwill towards India. Pakistan wished peace and stability in the region. He said Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood has returned to Delhi after consultations. Islamabad would send an official delegation to India on March 14 to discuss the modalities for the operationalisation of the Kartarpur Corridor, also was ready to continue with the weekly meeting at the level of the Directorate General of Military Operations, the Pakistan foreign minister said. Ambassador Bolton said that he and Secretary of State Pompeo, despite being actively engaged in talks with North Korea in Hanoi, monitored the developments between India and Pakistan and kept contact with the leadership of two countries to ensure that the security situation in the South Asia region did not deteriorate, the statement said. Bolton appreciated Pakistan's measures which had helped lowering the tension and urged continued restraint on both sides, it said. "The need for dialogue between Pakistan and India to find peaceful resolution to all outstanding disputes was also emphasized," the FO statement said. "The Foreign Minister cautioned against any Indian misadventure, keeping in view the forthcoming elections. Ambassador Bolton concurred," it said. It said that Ambassador Bolton also appreciated Pakistan's important role in the Afghan peace process. Both leaders agreed to work together to pursue the process. IV/VI. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/us-played-key-role-in-release-of-wing-commander-abhinandan-varthaman/articleshow/68367092.cms US played key role in release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman Pakistan was not ready to 'give in' but US made it clear that the Wg Cdr won't be a 'bargaining chip'. By Pranab Dhal Samanta ET Bureau| Updated: Mar 12, 2019, 10.52 AM IST The United States weighed in on the Pakistan Army through high-level military channels to release Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman within hours of his capture on February 27, making it clear to Rawalpindi that it was the only way to de-escalate matters. ET has reliably gathered that at the instance of Washington, US Centcom Commander Gen. Joseph Votel spoke to Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa “encouraging him” to release Wing Commander Abhinandan at the earliest. Snipped V/VI. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/440084-us-pulled-back-india-after-pak-threat-to-hit-back US pulled back India after Pak threat to hit back Aamir Ghauri March 5, 2019 ISLAMABAD: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stopped from attacking Pakistan by the United States and Britain once Pakistan informed them of its clear intention to hit back three times harder if its eastern neighbour violated its territorial integrity. India was also warned by the US that the international powers would not be able to stop the confrontation from progressing into a full-blown nuclear war. Well-placed sources based in Washington and London have shared information with The News that Indian Prime Minister Modi conducted a meeting with his three services chiefs for hours on February 27 in the wake of the suicide attack in Pulwama on February 14 killing at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel. Modi and his generals reportedly “selected to hit at least nine targets inside Pakistan” with missiles and then “finalised” at least two cities as first targets. Government sources in Pakistan say the initial targets were most probably Karachi and Bahawalpur. Pakistan’s elite intelligence agencies got hold of the details in time and informed the highest offices in the government following which Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting of the National Command Authority late on Wednesday, February 27. Established in February 2000, the NCA controls the government policy on nuclear weapons. Its members essentially include the Prime Minister, the Foreign, Defence and Interior ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), three Services Chiefs, Director-General of Strategic Plans Division. Sources claim that the Pakistani meeting discussed the Indian plan in detail and went on to select 12 Indian cities that were to be hit in retaliation to the Indian aggression. “All hits were to be of conventional weapons.” Pakistan decided to hit India three times harder. “If India were to hit Pakistan with one missile, Pakistan would have reciprocated with three – on three different cities inside India.” Once the meeting firmed up its proposed action in case India went ahead with her plan, Islamabad informed the United States and the United Kingdom of its retaliatory strategy. They were clearly told that 12 Indian cities have been shortlisted for the purpose, the sources said. “The United States not only conveyed the Pakistani message to India – of hitting them three times harder, they also told them that nobody would be able to stop them [Pakistan]. And that the next stage could be a nuclear war,” the sources said and added that the US warning was the “only thing that forced India to back off from trying what they had planned.” Talking to The News, an influential Cabinet minister has confirmed that the government was made aware of the Indian intention to attack Pakistan with missiles. “Our understanding was that the Indians were planning to hit our military targets – at least at three different locations.” Well-placed western sources are not ruling out the possibility of New Delhi also talking to Washington, London and a few other European capitals about plans to hit selected targets inside Pakistan. “It would be hard to say if the Indians had informed important world capital of their intended plans. But as an important country in the region with strong relations with the West, there is a likelihood that they might have. After all, help from those capitals would have been a must to stop the confrontation from escalation,” said one of the key officials of CTD Advisers, a London-based strategic intelligence firm with global presence. The official requested anonymity. India fighter jets crossed into Pakistan for a few nautical miles on February 26 and quickly retreated when challenged by Pakistan Air Force warplanes. They jettisoned their payload on their way back near Balakot in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. A few pine trees were felled and a lot of dirt was dug up. One person was injured in the incident. India claimed to have hit the alleged training camps of the proscribed militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammed and killing over 300 “under-training terrorists”. All claims have since been challenged and proved wrong. Pakistan denies the Indian allegations of complicity in the Pulwama attack and has been asking the world powers to take notice of the Indian aggression. Prime Minister Imran Khan has repeatedly said Pakistan would take strictest possible action against any group involved in the incident if India provided “actionable intelligence”. He informed a joint session of the Pakistani Parliament of his failed attempts to contact Prime Minister Modi and his government’s contact campaign with friendly countries to intervene to de-escalate the dangerously volatile nuclear stand-off between the two South Asian neighbours. VI. https://www.thefridaytimes.com/what-next-3/?fbclid=IwAR14UH8y-i1Nwg2Vkagf3lJpjjap7e1PN-JWP9H5sSPU0Cl1DGyI56wD3Kc What next? by Najam Sethi March 8, 2019 in Editorial Pakistani PM Imran Khan has informed the media that India and Israel had ganged up to attack targets inside Pakistan, including possibly in Karachi and Bahawalpur. They were dissuaded, he said, only after Pakistan warned that its response would be three times as forceful, thereby raising the spectre of a nuclear showdown. Does this mean that “war” between India and Pakistan is over? Consider. Snipped -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
