By Elishya Perera
ISLAMABAD (CU)_India and Pakistan have agreed to immediately cease military hostilities along the Line of Control (LOC) in the disputed region of Kashmir, in order to deescalate tensions between the South-Asian rivals.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday (Feb 25), the two countries said their top military commanders reviewed the situation along the LOC, in a “free, frank and cordial” manner, and agreed to the observance of a ceasefire along the de facto border, with effect from midnight 24/25 February.
“In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace, the two DGsMO [Director Generals of Military Operations] agreed to address each other’s core issues / concerns which have propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence,” the statement read.
It further noted that the parties agreed to “strict observance” of all agreements and understandings regarding the disputed Line of Control, and reiterated their commitment to utilise existing “mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings” in order to resolve “any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding”.
This recent decision by the two neighboring countries was welcomed by leaders both locally and internationally, with Pakistani Foreign Minister describing the understanding as an “important step” for promoting regional peace.
“It can be a good beginning, but India will have to sincerely implement the arrangement,” Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said.
According to United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir, the commitment of the parties to achieving sustainable peace by addressing each other’s core issues sets “an example” for other countries.
“I wholeheartedly welcome today’s ceasefire agreement between #India and #Pakistan,” Bozkir tweeted. “Their stated commitment to achieve sustainable peace through addressing each other’s core issues and concerns sets an example for other countries and demonstrates #UNGA values.”
Earlier on Thursday, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that UN Chief is encouraged by India and Pakistan’s agreement to observing the ceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir, and hopes that this positive step would provide the parties with an opportunity for further dialogue.
The United States also welcomed the decision of the South Asian countries, saying it is a positive step towards greater peace and stability in the region.
“The United States welcomes the joint statement between India and Pakistan that the two countries have agreed to maintain strict observance of a ceasefire along the Line of Control starting on February 25th,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.
She added that the Biden administration encourages both countries to “keep building upon this progress”.
Kashmir has sparked two of the three wars between India and Pakistan since the two countries gained independence from Britain in 1947. The Himalayan territory, which the parties claim in its entirety, remains primary source of regional tensions in South Asia.
Although the two countries agreed to a Kashmir cease-fire in 2003, however, military skirmishes along the border, in recent years, have rendered the truce almost ineffective. According to Indian and Pakistani military, violence in this disputed region has reported hundreds of casualties on security personnel and civilians on both sides.
