What led to India-Pakistan ceasefire at LoC and will it hold for long?

With National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval believed to be playing a key role, India has eased border tensions with both China and Pakistan — Ladakh disengagement and ceasefire. Indian Army chief General MM Naravane has spoken about the “advice” given by Doval in reaching a disengagement agreement with China. While the Ladakh disengagement offers greater hope of peace on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), it is the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan that will be more in focus.

Reports suggest that the “sudden” change in Pakistan’s commitment towards maintaining peace along the Line of Control (LoC) happened after Ajit Doval met his counterpart Moeed Yusuf — in a third country. Yusuf, however, in a tweet, attempted to distance himself from back-channel diplomacy.

But that back-channel diplomacy was at play was evident from a series of steps that took place before Thursday’s joint statement by India and Pakistan that reiterated the two countries’ commitment to the 2003 ceasefire agreement. On February 2, Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa talked about mutual respect and peaceful coexistence in what was the first “soft” stand on India since the Balakot air strike by the Indian Air Force two years ago.

Last week, Pakistan, in a change, stuck to the topic of Covid-19 pandemic in a virtual SAARC meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pakistan did not make the usual rhetorical reference to the Kashmir issue at the meet.

Source:- India Today