The officer was involved in a dog fight with Pakistani fighter aircraft and was awarded a Shaurya Chakra for taking down an F-16 combat aircraft during the engagement.
In Colombo on Monday, the India-Pakistan rivalry spilled onto the football field as the SAFF U-17 Championship delivered a five-goal thriller.
The development comes as relations between the two countries showed marked improvement following the four-day military conflict between Pakistan and India in May.
At present, Wg Cdr Varthaman is serving at an IAF base in Rajasthan.
Military officials detail how the Indian Air Force's downing of a Pakistani aircraft at a long distance reflects its air superiority and dealt a psychological blow to the adversary.
The No. 51 Squadron is to be retired by the end of September, "as per the plan", the defence sources said.
Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah, 37, was killed on Tuesday in a clash with the Taliban militants in the Sararogha area of South Waziristan near the Afghan border, according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the army.
The MiG-21's sharp silhouette and supersonic roar will live on in the memories of those who flew it, those who maintained it, and those who watched it streak across the sky as a symbol of India's strength, asserts IAF veteran Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd).
The announcement was greeted by thumping of desks by Pakistani lawmakers.
Here's how leaders across political parties welcomed Wing Commander Abhinanadan Varthaman on his return to India.
By naming my son as Abhinandan, we will keep him reminding about the valour of the pilot and I would like him to become a brave soldier like him when he grows up," Sapna Devi, mother of the newborn, said.
Pakistan held Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman Wednesday after fighter jets of both nations engaged in an air battle following an unsuccessful attempt to target Indian military installations in retaliatory strikes.
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman of the Indian Air Force who shot down a Pakistan air force F-16 during a dogfight on February 27 earlier this year, flew a MiG-21 Bison aircraft during the Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Base. Three Mirage 2000 aircraft and two Su-30MKI fighter aircraft also flew in the 'Avenger formation'. The planes are being flown by pilots who took part in Balakot airstrike. Here are highlights from the parade.
"India has not asked for any consular access to the IAF pilot. We want him back immediately," a source said.
'Nine missiles from India had been pointed towards Pakistan, to be launched any time that day'
After attracting criticism on the social media for "taking credit", Khurshid on Sunday said that he had only "stated the truth".
The ministry had asked YouTube to remove the clips following directive from the home ministry, a government source said, adding that the said links have now been removed.
Abhinandan will undergo debriefing which will include his physiological as well as a physical check-up in the presence of officials from the military and Intelligence agencies.
The EC concluded that Modi has not violated the model code or its advisory on armed forces in his speech in Gujarat's Patan city on April 21.
IAF Chief Dhanoa and Abhinandan took a sortie on the MiG 21 jet from the Pathankot air base.
First reactions from Indian politicians and public figures over release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
After wedding cards and T-shirts with imprints of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, looks like it's the season of sarees.
"The way he (Pakistan MP) is saying that 'pair kaanp rahe the' (his legs were trembling). It is because the military posture was very offensive... God forbid if there are military misadventure on 27th and hit some of our military installations, we were in a position to wipe out their forward brigades. They know what is our capability," he said.
"I want to dedicate my gold to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. He has inspired me," Punia tweeted after his victory.
The Congress leader tweeted his request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Pakistan PM Imran Khan's announcement that the IAF pilot would be released on March 1.
Indian model and actress Poonam Pandey gave Pakistan a befitting reply after one of their TV channels mocked the captivity of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in an ad to preview the upcoming Indo-Pak World Cup match.
A Pakistan TV channel mocked the captivity of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in Pakistan.
The award is slated to be received by commanding officer Group Captain Satish Pawar on October 8.
Taking to Twitter, Tendulkar thanked the Indian soldiers for their services.
He further said that the JeM claim of responsibility for the Pulwama attack had not been made from inside Pakistan.
'Recording of his video message caused delay in his handing over'
Abhi comes from a family which has served the Indian Air Force since World War II when his grandfather Simhakutty was a member of the air force.
In 2014, Doval, who was appointed as India's fifth NSA, played a crucial role in ensuring the secure return of 46 Indian nurses who were trapped in a hospital in Iraq.
The plan to phase out the Soviet-origin aircraft fleet is part of the IAF's modernisation drive and it is not related to the latest crash of a MiG-21 jet in Rajasthan's Barmer on Thursday night.
The IAF carried out 33 missions transporting 625 tonnes of treasury consignment after the demonetisation was announced, the ex-IAF chief said.
he world takes note of what India does and the nation has the power to "change dictionary meanings", Modi said.
The instructions came after the photograph of a hoarding displaying pictures of the Indian Air Force pilot as well as senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders was circulated on social media and came to the EC's notice.
The Pakistani PM said that one who solves the Kashmir dispute to pave the way for peace and human development in the subcontinent should receive the award.
Mita said she was not worried about the criticism she faced on social media over her anti-war stand.
The IAF pilot revealed that he was not physically tortured by Pakistan military authorities.
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