US strongly responds over Pakistan India new ceasefire agreement
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UNITED NATIONS/WASHINGTON – The United Nations and the United States have welcomed Thursday's joint statement of India and Pakistan to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region, saying it was a "positive step" towards peace and stability in South Asia.
Soon after India and Pakistan announced their decision to stop cross-border firing, United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir said he welcomes the agreement that demonstrates the values of UNGA.
"I wholeheartedly welcome today's ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. 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," he said in a statement read out by his spokesman Brenden Varma at the regular noon briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
Earlier, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had also called the agreement a "positive step".
"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 the established mechanism," his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
"He hopes that this positive step would provide an opportunity for further dialogue," the statement said.
In Washington, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also said at her daily news conference on Thursday that the Biden administration remains closely engaged with a range of leaders and officials 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," Psaki said.
