Talking to a Pakistan news channels over the phone, Qureshi ​​said he wants to give a message to Indian public that the IAF pilot is safe. "We don't have a personal enmity with him. Pakistan is ready to take necessary steps to de-escalate the current situation," Qureshi said

NEW DELHI: Pakistan said it was ready to negotiate the return of the IAF pilot in custody and take the necessary steps to de-escalate the situation post the air strikes at Balakot. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told a private channel that Islamabad wanted to give a message to the Indian public that Pakistan is a responsible nation.

"I want to assure the Indian public that your pilot is safe here. We are aware of Geneva Convention. The pilot is absolutely safe here, we are taking care of him pretty well, including medicine and food," he said.

"We don't have a personal enmity with him. Pakistan is ready to take necessary steps to de-escalate the current situation," he added.

On a question that India is expecting immediate and safe return of pilot Abhinandan, Qureshi said Pakistan is ready to think over the issue with an open heart.

The statement comes after India issued a strong demarche to Pakistan yesterday and demanded immediate and safe return of the Wing Commander Varthaman, who was taken into custody by Pakistani armed forces following a fierce engagement between air forces of the two sides along the Line of Control.

Meanwhile, the grand daughter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto has asked the Imran Khan government to release the IAF pilot.

Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman was captured on Wednesday after he ejected safely from his MiG 21 Bison aircraft but landed across the Line of Control.