New Delhi: Former Indian diplomat Gopalaswamy Parthasarathy, who played a key role in bringing back Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot K Nachiketa during the 1999 Kargil war, has expressed confidence that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman too would return safely.

Parthasarathy said to media that he is confident that Abhinandan will be back safe. Pakistan has to abide by the Geneva Convention, they just can't violate it, said Parthasarathy.  He also recalled how Pakistan returned Nachiketa 20 years ago. 

Nachiketa was taken prisoner by the Pakistan Army on May 27, 1999, following ejection from his MiG-27 aircraft after suffering engine flame-out. Nachiketa was released by the Pakistan Army eight days after his capture. He was released through the International Committee of Red Cross, which helped and released Nachiketa as per the Geneva Convention.  After Nachiketa's release, he never flew fighter jets. He is now a transport pilot.

The Pakistan Army on Wednesday has claimed to have captured Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman and has even released video of his bloodied nose and blindfolded questioning, but the onus lies on the enemy country to protect and treat Abhinandan with dignity, in line with Geneva guidelines. The video was released after a press conference held by the spokesman of the Pakistani armed forces Major General Asif Ghafoor. The video has gone viral on the internet, but the Pakistan Army has deleted it from its Twitter handle. 

The Indian MEA spokesperson confirmed that India had lost one MiG-21 Bison aircraft and its pilot was missing in action, but did not confirm the veracity of Pakistani claim.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had offered to have peace talks with India while the air combat was on, on Wednesday. But sources tell MyNation that the Indian government is unwilling to accept the demand. Sources further say that this is the opportune moment to add more pressure on Pakistan. The Indian government is trying its best to project Pakistan as a country of terror on the international stage.