NEW DELHI: Indians journalists, columnists and political commentators were in full praise shortly after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced release of Indian pilot, Wing Commander Pilot Abhinandan.
Sudheendra Kulkarni, right wing ideologue thinker and author has all praise for the former international cricketer.
“We Indians should give credit where credit is due. #Pakistan PM@ImranKhanPTI deserves our appreciation for quick return of Wing Cdr#Abhinandan. His is indeed a gesture of #Peace’” Kulkarni wrote in a tweet.
"We Indians should give credit where credit is due. #Pakistan PM @ImranKhanPTI deserves our appreciation for quick return of Wing Cdr #Abhinandhan. His is indeed a gesture of #Peace.
Now he shd quickly act against terrorist #JeM"
I said on @TimesNow @RShivshankar#SayNoToWar
— Sudheendra Kulkarni (@SudheenKulkarni) March 1, 2019
“We in India may not like this, but in terms of pure optics, @ImranKhanPTI at the moment is winning the day by taking the moral high ground .. we have a strong case on terror but too many of our leaders busy calculating votes at the moment,” Rajdeep Sardesai said.
We in India may not like this, but in terms of pure optics, @ImranKhanPTI at the moment is winning the day by taking the moral high ground .. we have a strong case on terror but too many of our leaders busy calculating votes at the moment..
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) February 28, 2019
Journalist Barkha Dutt tweeted: “I think we should welcome this gesture from @ImranKhanPTI on the release of #Abhinandan. The door for de-escalation has been opened. And this is really not the time for dumb and needless gloating by tv anchors.” She added: “Of course India’s key concern remains impunity with which Jaish E Mohammed& Lashkar operate in Pakistan and that has to be pursued firmly. But my view is India proved its point with the #BalakotAirStrike and now, with #Abhinandan coming home, its time to leave fight to diplomats.”
Praising Pak PM Imran Khan Journalist Sagarika Ghhose said “With apologies & respect to Modiji, but today he has been outdone and outshone in diplomacy, war strategy and public outreach by a swashbuckling cricket captain@ImranKhanPTI
Journalist Aditya Menon tweeted, Govt caught completely unawares by Pak PM Imran Khan’s ‘Peace Gesture’ of releasing Wing Commander #AbhinandanVartaman. PM Modi busy at an award function. Armed forces reschedule press conference. No one with any honesty can spin this in govt’s favour. #WelcomeBackAbhinandan.
Govt caught completely unawares by Pak PM Imran Khan's 'Peace Gesture' of releasing Wing Commander #AbhinandanVartaman. PM Modi busy at an award function. Armed forces reschedule press conference. No one with any honesty can spin this in govt's favour. #WelcomeBackAbhinandan
— Aditya Menon (@AdityaMenon22) February 28, 2019
Krishan Partap Singh, another journalist said, “Never seen a Pakistani PM so outplay an Indian PM so completely.”
Harinder Baweja said, “Not many will like this but @ImranKhanPTI knows how to steal the headlines.”
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, too, complimented PM Khan, saying he has “exhibited real statesmanship today”. “Pak PM has exhibited real statesmanship today. It is time for our political leadership to step up & take measures to de escalate the current situation. People of J&K are living under unimaginable duress. How much longer will we suffer for?” she tweeted.