'Positive Step': US, UN welcomes the ceasefire agreement between India, Pakistan

New Delhi, February 26: United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir has welcomed India and Pakistan’s agreement to a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC). They praised the agreement saying, the two countries stated commitment to achieving sustainable peace through addressing each other`s core issues setting "an example" for other countries.

"I wholeheartedly welcome today`s ceasefire agreement between #India and #Pakistan. Their stated commitment to achieving sustainable peace through addressing each other`s core issues and concerns sets an example for other countries and demonstrates #UNGA values," Bozkir tweeted.

 

 

United Nations Secretary General`s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is encouraged by their decision to strictly observe all agreements on a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and hopes that the “positive step” would “provide an opportunity for further dialogue”.

 

"The Secretary-general is encouraged by the joint statement issued by the militaries of India and Pakistan on their agreement to observe the ceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir and engage through the established mechanism. He hopes that this positive step would provide an opportunity for further dialogue," said Dujarric during a daily briefing.

 

Apart from the UN, the United States also applauded the step. Calling it the “positive step” the US welcomed the joint statement between India and Pakistan and urged both countries to keep building upon the progress.

 

White House spokesperson Jen 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 25. This is a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia, which is in our shared interest and we encourage both countries to keep building upon this progress.”

 

On Thursday both countries released a joint statement saying that have held discussions regarding establishing a mechanism for hotline contact among both nations. Both sides also agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) starting from February 25.