UNITED NATIONS/WASHINGTON – The United Nations and the United States havewelcomed Thursday’s joint statement of India and Pakistan to strictlyobserve all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control in thedisputed Kashmir region, saying it was a “positive step” towards peace andstability in South Asia.
Soon after India and Pakistan announced their decision to stop cross-borderfiring, United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir said hewelcomes the agreement that demonstrates the values of UNGA.
“I wholeheartedly welcome today’s ceasefire agreement between India andPakistan. Their stated commitment to achieve sustainable peace throughaddressing each other’s core issues and concerns sets an example for othercountries and demonstrates UNGA values,” he said in a statement read out byhis spokesman Brenden Varma at the regular noon briefing at UN Headquartersin New York.
Earlier, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had also called theagreement a “positive step”.
“The Secretary-general is encouraged by the joint statement issued by themilitaries of India and Pakistan on their agreement to observing theceasefire at the Line of Control in Kashmir and engaging through theestablished mechanism,” his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
Read Top Stories
“He hopes that this positive step would provide an opportunity for furtherdialogue,” the statement said.
In Washington, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also said at her dailynews conference on Thursday that the Biden administration remains closelyengaged with a range of leaders and officials in the region.
“The United States welcomes the joint statement between India and Pakistanthat the two countries have agreed to maintain strict observance of aceasefire along the Line of Control starting on February 25th,” Psaki said.
