Season Of Quiet An Indian Army patrol along the LoC in Kashmir. Unchecked firing kills both security personnel and civilians. Photograph by PTI outlookindia.com 2021-03-19T13:41:52+05:30
After the deep freeze in India-Pakistan ties since the 2016 Uri attack and the further ratcheting up of tension along the LoC after the Balakot airstrike the decision to respect the 2003 ceasefire agreement, announced in a joint statement by the Director General of Military Operations, was a startling one. The guns fell silent along the LoC since the midnight of February 24/25. But is this another false start at peace-making by the two subcontinental rivals, or is there a sliver of hope, a tiny crack in the thick wall of hostility?
On February 25, Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control and all other sectors. It’s a welcome step. That it came after 12,969 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan since 2018, killing hundreds of civilians and security forces and destroying several military facilities, homes, schools and infrastructure on both sides of the border is a sad commentary on Pakistan Army’s visceral hatred for India since 1948.
The ceasefire neither came suddenly nor was it clinched by informal contacts between power brokers, back-channel diplomacy or nudge from the US and China. It began taking shape when Pakistan realised the futility of pursuing its twin objectives of keeping India destabilised and annexing J&K by using separatists and terror attacks. Its game plan went awry as it found itself pitched against an unyielding Indian political leadership it had encountered never before.
US corners Islamabad over terrorist infiltrations across LoC, says ‘support dialogue between India & Pakistan’ Updated Mar 05, 2021 | 08:58 IST
US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said the United States continues to support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir . US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price. | Photo Credit: IANS
Key Highlights
On Thursday, Price said that US’ engagement with India is more like a “global comprehensive strategic partnership”
Washington’s policy of a de-hyphenated relationship with India and Pakistan is “not a zero-sum”, Price said on Thursday
Washington: The United States of America on Friday condemned the infiltration of terrorists across the Line of Control and has called for a reduction of tensions along the International Border.
After ceasefire, now Pakistan mulls cotton, yarn import from India
Sources also confirmed that deliberations over the restoration of cotton and yarn import in the first phase from India are already underway
Wednesday March 3, 2021 3:28 PM, Hamza Ameer, IANS
Islamabad: It seems that the halted trade ties between India and Pakistan are on the verge of gradual restoration with Pakistan likely to import cotton from India.
After the announcement of a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) to maintain peace at the border between India and Pakistan, the Pakistan government may also be allowing imports of cotton from India in the coming days.