The United States government has welcomed a rare joint statement by India and Pakistan agreeing to strictly observe all agreements on the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and other sectors.
The country’s State Department said that it welcomes the development between the two south Asian countries that came in effect from 25 February.
“We encourage continued efforts to improve communication between the two sides and to reduce tension and violence along the line of control,” said Ned Price, the spokesperson of the state department.
The decision on ceasefire was taken at a meeting between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan. The Director Generals of Military Operations or DGMOs held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact and reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a “free, frank and cordial atmosphere”.
“In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGMOs agreed to address each other’s core issues and concerns which have propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence,” the joint statement said.
India and Pakistan signed a ceasefire agreement in 2003; however, since February 2019 Pulwama bombing, there have been frequent skirmishes along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and last year recorded the highest number of violations.
The ceasefire along the Line of Control aided India in establishing a multi-tier anti-infiltration grid along the rugged mountain terrain that prevented any large-scale infiltration of militants into Kashmir.
