India reaches out to world powers, envoys of 10 nations meet Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale

Ahead of a crucial joint press briefing by Army and Air Force in New Delhi at 5 pm on Thursday, diplomats of 10 countries met Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale at South Block. Diplomats of Germany, Dominican Republic, Nigeria, South Africa are Belgium were present in the meeting. According to reports, the Foreign Secretary briefed them on developments related to the situation between Indian and Pakistan.

Delhi: Visuals from outside Ministry of External Affairs. Meeting of Foreign Secy with diplomats from 10 countries, including Germany, Dominican Republic, Nigeria, South Africa & Belgium, has concluded. The Foreign Secy briefed them on updates in situation b/w India & Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/vGD1Z7hVpY

— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2019

Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely on today evening to take stock of the situation as tension escalated between India and Pakistan.

A Union Cabinet meeting is also slated for 6.30 pm. Both meetings are scheduled to take place at the Prime Minister's residence.

Sources said that the CCS at the 7, Lok Kalyan Marg will discuss steps to bring back an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot, who was captured by Pakistan on Wednesday.

India has not asked for consular access to the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot captured by Pakistan, and is insisting on his unconditional and immediate return, government sources said on Thursday.

They asserted that there was no question of any deal on the return of the IAF pilot.

The sources said Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has to walk the talk on investigating the February 14 Pulwama attack and that India wants immediate, credible and verifiable action against terrorists and their proxies.

"India has not asked for any consular access to the IAF pilot. We want him back immediately," a source said. 

"The IAF pilot has to be repatriated unconditionally and immediately. There is no question of any deal," he said.