India-Pak revived the Ceasefire Agreement: Pakistan puts onus on India for further development
India and Pakistan have agreed to adhere to the 2003 Ceasefire Agreement with the efforts of the Director-General of Military operations by Let. General Paramjit Singh Sangha and his Pakistani counterpart Major General Nauman Zakaria over established hotline. Indian Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday that New Delhi and Islamabad have rejuvenated the previous agreement and committed to strictly follow the provisions. This development comes weeks after India and China have furthered the de-escalation process at LAC.
Appreciating the amicable steps, Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan applauded the restoration of the agreement but put the obligation on India to forge “an enabling environment” for further dialogue. “I welcome restoration of the ceasefire along the LOC. The onus of creating an enabling environment for further progress rests with India. India must take necessary steps to meet the long-standing demand & right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination according to UNSC resolutions,” said PM Imran Khan. In a series of tweets, Khan proposed a bilateral dialogue to resolve all the issues.
Responding to Pakistan, India reiterated its principle of “talk and terror can’t go together”. It asked Pakistan to take robust action against terror groups responsible for launching attacks on India. New Delhi underscored the need for normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan and to mettle out common issues through dialogue. “On relations with Pakistan, as we have said earlier India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. we have always maintained that we are committed to addressing issues if any, in a peaceful and bilateral manner,” MEA spokesperson added.
It is evident that in 2020 the ceasefire agreement was diluted massively with around 5,133 reported violations of the 2003 ceasefire agreement. The relations between both nations have deteriorated since the horrid Pulwama attack on the convoy of CRPF personnel. India retaliated against this loss by uprooting and destroying the Jaish-e-Mohammad camp in Balakot (POK). This brought a stiff outcry from Pakistan which considered it as an illegal and fake military operation. Adding to this, on the 2nd anniversary of the Balakot Airstrike PM Imran Khan called it as “reckless military adventure.”
“We also demonstrated to the world that Pakistan’s responsible behaviour in the face of India’s irresponsible military brinkmanship, by returning the captured Indian pilot,” Khan added, referring to Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistani forces in a military dogfight between the two countries in 2019″ added PM Khan.
Pakistan has been vociferously demanding the status quo of Jammu and Kashmir after India converted the state into two Union territories. It has used various International forums to punish India but hasn’t been able to garner significant support. Recently Mr Imran Khan urged India to take necessary steps to meet the longstanding demands and right of Kashmiri people to self-determination as per the UN Security Council resolutions. This major development comes at a time when troops have de-escalated from the Pangong Tso Lake area. It presents a picture of optimism and suspicions for India which has been in double jeopardy at LAC and LOC for several decades. Pakistan robustly claims the territory of Kashmir whereas India rejects any claims as illegal and interference in their internal matter. The efficacy and integrity of the agreement will be determined soon.
