The Biden administration welcomed the joint statement of India and Pakistan to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and has urged the two countries to engage in direct talks to resolve the issue of the disputed territory.
A day earlier, Pakistan and India had agreed to strictly observe the 2003 ceasefire agreement at the LoC, the de facto border between the arch-rivals in the disputed region of Kashmir, and other agreements, Radio Pakistan had reported.
The director generals of military operations (DGMOs) of the two countries had reviewed over a hotline the situation along the LoC and all other sectors in a “free, frank and cordial atmosphere” on Thursday morning, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had said in a statement.
“The two sides reviewed the situation along the LoC and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere,” read the official handout.
This move was welcomed by both the United States and the United Nations, who hailed it as a “positive step” which will provide an opportunity for further dialogue.
During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the United States welcomes the joint statement between the two nations.
“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.
“This is a positive step towards greater peace and stability in South Asia, which is in all shared — is in our shared interest. And we encourage both countries to keep building upon this progress,” she added.
Asked if Islamabad is doing enough in the fight against terrorism, she said, “But in terms of an assessment of that I would point you to the State Department or the Intelligence Department.”
Similarly, US State Department Spokesman Ned Price brought up the agreement in his opening statement at the Thursday afternoon news briefing.
“We encourage continued efforts to improve communication between the two sides and to reduce tensions and violence along the Line of Control,” department’s spokesperson said, adding that US has been very clear that it condemned the terrorists who seek to infiltrate across the LoC.
Media representatives present on the occasion recalled that Joe Biden, who was vice president during the Obama administration, had a warm relationship with Pakistan. The journalists asked how his prior closeness with Pakistan influenced this agreement, and how it may affect foreign policy and relations with the two countries moving forward, now that Joe Biden is president of the US.
“When it comes to the US role, we continue to support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and other issues of concern,” said the State Department spokesman while responding to these queries.
Price also recalled that that both he and other members of the current administration had urged Pakistan and India to resolve the Kashmir issue since Biden took office on January 20.
“Pakistan is an important partner with whom we share many interests. We, as I said, have been clear in terms of this issue,” he said in reply to a question on how the US would stay impartial in the regional conflict between the two countries.
“So clearly, we will be paying close attention, and we urge the Pakistanis to play a constructive role in all of these areas of mutual interest, including in Afghanistan, including with Kashmir, including with our other shared interests,” he said.
Separately, UN Secretary-General (SG) Antonio Guterres termed the development a “positive step” and hoped that it would pave the way for more talks between the two countries.
