People and Indian army troops gather near the wreckage of an Indian aircraft after it crashed about 34 kilometers south of Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Feb. 27, 2019. (Xinhua)

MOSCOW, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday that Moscow is ready to help reduce Pakistan-India tensions and there is no alternative to political and diplomatic means in settling the differences.

During a phone call with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Lavrov underlined the need for all countries to comply with the universal counter-terrorism conventions and cooperate in their implementation.

According to a foreign ministry press release, Lavrov noted the possibility of using the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's Regional Anti-terrorist Structure for this purpose.

Moscow has repeatedly called for restraint after Pakistan said Wednesday that its air force shot down two Indian fighter jets inside its airspace and captured an Indian pilot in Kashmir.

Earlier on Friday, Pakistan handed over the pilot to India after completing the required procedure.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.