Doctored video of Abhinandan exposes Pakistan's 'peace gesture'; key takeaways from the developments so far

Pakistan clearly used captured pilot as leverage to eke out of a near war situation and to correct the domestic narrative by releasing heavily doctored videos Now that media circus has shifted to the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and tension over escalation of hostilities between India and Pakistan has subsided, it is worth taking a step back, letting the dust settle and figure out a few takeaways from a series of developments since Tuesday morning when IAF fighter jets for the first time since 1971 war crossed the Line of Control and dropped some sorties over terror facilities in Pakistan’s mainland, allegedly killing a “large number” of terrorists. Whereas India’s Balakot operation was a “non-military, preemptive strike” ostensibly in self-defence, Pakistan’s targeting of Indian military installations proved a causal link between Pakistan military and “non-state actors”. France was particularly scathing, stating that it “recognizes India’s legitimacy in ensuring its security against cross-border terrorism and calls on Pakistan to put an end to the activities of the terrorist groups established in its territory.” India’s ‘quad’ partner Japan “ strongly condemned ” the terrorist attack on 14 February 2019 for which the Islamic extremist group Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility… and urged “Pakistan to take stronger measures to counter terrorism. pic.twitter.com/C4BTaDg5wJ — ANI February 26, 2019 Dean of Diplomatic Corps says foreign envoys satisfied India's ops at Balakot was "a direct attack to limited and specific objectives with no civilian or military casualties" & "that there is no intention to escalate" pic.twitter.com/Ob7omd2jmc — Rezaul Hasan Laskar February 26, 2019 The real diplomatic victory for India, however, was the way in which Arab nations — that share deep historical, theological and familial bond with Pakistan — impressed upon Islamabad not to escalate the crisis and almost forced its hand to release Wing Commander Abhinandan without a fuss.