New Delhi: The United Arab Emirates has welcomed India Pakistan joint statement on ceasefire observance, calling it "an important step towards achieving security, stability, and prosperity in the region." The UAE is the first country in West Asia to welcome the last week's development and joins UN, US and EU to do so. Last week, in a surprise development, India and Pakistan agreed to lower the temperature at the line of control with "strict observance" of the 2003 ceasefire pact with both the militaries issuing a rare joint statement. While no formal dialogue has happened between India and Pakistan for years, ties have been completely frayed after the 2019 Pulwama terror attack whose responsibility was taken by a Pakistan-based terror group. After India removed special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, Pakistan had cut all people to people ties and recalled its envoy.

Source: dna March 01, 2021 07:29 UTC