In a joint statement on Feb 25, India and Pakistan have declared that both sides have agreed for strict observance of ceasefire along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight 24/25 Feb 2021. The agreement comes a week after India and China pulled back troops from areas in Ladakh.
The statement released by Ministry of Defence on Thursday said that the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGsMO) of India and Pakistan held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact. The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere, it said.
Further, the statement said in the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGsMO agreed to address each other’s core issues and concerns which have propensity to disturb peace and lead to violence. “Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight 24/25 Feb 2021”, the statement read.
The statement stated that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding.
Dr. Niranjan B Poojar 
Balaji Subramanian