India, Pakistan agree on 'strict' observance of ceasefire along LoC from today
By TIOL News Service
NEW DELHI, FEB 25, 2021: INDIA and Pakistan issued a joint statement on Thursday after reviewing the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and agreed to cease firing from midnight of February 24-25.
The Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries held "free, frank and cordial" discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact, the LoC and all other sectors.
"In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGMOs agreed to address each other's core issues and concerns which have propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence," said the statement.
Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the LoC and all other sectors with effect from midnight of February 24/25, 2021.
The statement added that India and Pakistan also "reiterated that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding."
Amid heightened border tensions with Pakistan and China since 2020, this comes a day after Islamabad said that Kashmir is their only dispute with India and it can be resolved through dialogue.
India's Ministry of External Affairs responded by saying, "Our position is well-known. India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan in an environment free of terror, hostility, and violence."
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