The United Nations and the United States welcomed the India-Pakistan joint statement on ceasefire along the Line of Control and other sectors.
India and Pakistan announced that starting on February 25, they would observe all agreements on the 2003 ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors to maintain peace along the borders.
During the daily news conference, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the Biden administration welcomed the joint statement between Indian and Pakistan. Psaki said: “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.”
Psaki said that it is a positive step towards “greater peace and stability in South Asia” and urged both India and Pakistan “to keep building upon this progress.”
In a different news conference, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price stated that the administration had requested the parties to reduce tensions along the LoC by getting back to the 2003 ceasefire agreement. Price said that the United States has been clear that it condemns the terrorists who seek to infiltrate across the LoC.
“When it comes to the US’ role, we continue to support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and other issues of concern, and we certainly welcome the arrangement that was announced that will go into effect, I should say on, February 25,” said Price.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also welcomed the joint statement. The spokesperson for the UN chief said: “The Secretary-General is encouraged by the joint statement issued by the militaries of India and Pakistan on their agreement to observing the ceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir and engaging through established mechanisms.” The spokesperson further said that Guterres hopes this step will lead to further dialogue.
