PM Modi chairs National Security Council meeting

In view of the heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired the meeting of National Security Council (NSC) here, which was attended by the members of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

Among those present in the meeting were National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, and Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

The NSC meeting, which comes two days after Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was detained by the Pakistani Army, returned home on March 1, took stock of the prevailing security situation.

Wing Commander Abhinandan, flying the MiG 21 Bison, was chasing Pakistani F-16 fighters which had transgressed into the Indian airspace. In the process, his plane crossed over to Pakistani side and was shot down. Although he ejected safely, the pilot was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army upon landing.

On February 28, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the release of Abhinandan on March 1, calling his decision a "peace gesture."

However, India used diplomatic and military pressure to ensure that Pakistan releases Abhinandan unconditionally, top sources in New Delhi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made no compromises on the Pakistani proposal for holding talks, sources said.

India mounted pressure on Pakistan through the international community, with NSA Doval holding talks with the US and other P-5 countries, the sources said. The External Affairs Ministry also exerted pressure on Pakistan through the Arab world to ensure smooth release of Abhinandan, they said.