Page 18 - The Indian EYE 032621

OPINION MARCH 26, 2021 | The Indian Eye 18

India-Pakistan loC Ceasefire Decision:

a thaw In sIght?

While there are optimists on both sides, many in Pakistan are questioning the Imran Khan
government’s decision to agree to the ceasefire

ZaInaB aKhter on both sides, which may open
up possibilities of a restart of
he decision by India and Pa- trade and travel.
kistan to ‘cease firing along While there are optimists on
T the Line of Control (LoC) both sides, many in Pakistan are
and all other sectors’, with effect questioning the Khan govern-
from the midnight of February ment’s decision to agree to the
25, 2021, is being seen as an im- ceasefire. Imran Khan himself
portant thaw in the bilateral re- has placed the onus on India to
lationship that was at an all-time keep the LoC peaceful. Some
low. The decision came about analysts argue whether it is wise
after talks between the Director on the part of the government
Generals of Military Operations and the army to talk peace with
(DGMO’s) of both countries. India, without resolution of the
This joint statement is the first Paramilitary personnel arrive to take position after a group of terrorists at- Kashmir issue. There are those
such understanding between In- tacked the CRPF Patrolling Party on a road at Lawaypora in Srinagar on Thurs- who insist that India agreed to the
dia and Pakistan in nearly two day. One CRPF personnel made supreme sacrifice and three injured. (ANI) ceasefire keeping its own self-in-
decades, after the 2003 ceasefire terest in mind, and was a tactic
agreement. was the highest number of cease- received extensive support from to possibly avoid a two-front war.
In 2019, during the Indian fire violations since 2003. the SAARC members, except Be that as it may, with the
general elections, Pakistan Prime However, from the start of Pakistan. ceasefire in effect, it will certainly
Minister Imran Khan Niazi had 2021, Pakistan has exhibited signs Even as the ceasefire agree- help India and Pakistan diffuse
famously said that there was of being open to measures to re- ment has been welcomed by an- tensions along the LoC. India on
a “better chance of peace talks duce tensions. Chief of Army alysts, there was speculation that its part has affirmed that there
with India” if Prime Minister Staff (COAS) General Qamar an exchange of views between would not be any let-up in its
Narendra Modi was voted back Javed Bajwa, at the passing-out National Security Advisor, Ajit counter-terrorism efforts. It is
to power. PM Modi had earlier ceremony of the Pakistan Air Doval, and Special Assistant to time perhaps to take additional,
made a surprise stop over at La- Force (PAF) cadets on February 2, the Pakistan PM, Moeed Yusuf incremental steps, towards peace
hore in 2015 to attend the wed- stated that it was “time to extend had played a part in the develop- and reconciliation. These could
ding of the grand-daughter of the the hand of peace in all direc- ment. Yusuf, in a series of tweets include re-starting cross-LoC
then Prime Minister and PML-N tions”. He added that India and on February 25, rejected this trade and connectivity, which
Chief, Nawaz Sharif. Pakistan should resolve the Kash- claim and stated that the deci- could create the right environ-
While these were two bright mir issue in a dignified manner. sion came about only as a result ment for fruitful dialogue to re-
spots, 2016 witnessed a down- Pakistan also accepted the of the talks between the two DG- solve outstanding issues between
ward spiral in bilateral relations invitation by India to attend the MOs. Earlier in October 2020, the two South Asian neighbours.
with terror strikes at Pathankot Health Secretary-level South Yusuf had stated that India had Zainab Akhter is Research
and Uri, followed by a surgical Asian Association of Region- expressed an interest in dialogue. Analyst – Pak Digest at Mano-
strike by India in September al Cooperation (SAARC) vir- This was denied by the Ministry har Parrikar Manohar Parrikar
2016. The February 2019 Pul- tual meeting-cum-workshop of External Affairs. Institute for Defence Studies and
wama attack worsened the rela- on February 18, 2021 to dis- The ceasefire decision marks Analyses, New Delhi.
tions further. India retaliated by cuss the ongoing Covid-19 the softening of stances on both Views expressed are of the author
launching aerial attacks on camp- crisis. This virtual meeting sides, which has renewed hopes
sites in Balakot on February 24. was addressed by PM Modi. of a new beginning. There are and do not necessarily reflect the
Pakistan upped the ante At the virtual conference of talks of the revival of the SAARC views of the Manohar Parrikar
across the LoC and ceasefire vi- SAARC Heads of State held Summit meeting, cancelled in IDSA or of the Government of
India.
olations escalated manifold. Re- earlier on March 15, 2020, PM 2016 when it was supposed to
ports noted that the number of Modi had proposed a regional take place in Islamabad. Specu- This is the abridged version of
violations in September 2019 was Coronavirus Emergency Fund to lations are rife that PM Modi will the article which appeared first
nearly three times that in the pre- mitigate the risks associated with participate in it as and when Pa- in the Comment section of the
vious years for the same month. the pandemic in the South Asian kistan hosts the summit. There is website (www.idsa.in) of Mano-
In 2020, the number of ceasefire region, with India pledging an a hope that as a follow-up to the har Parrikar Institute for Defense
violations along the LoC were initial contribution of US$10 mil- DGMO’s hotline talk, the High Studies and Analyses, New Delhi
over 5,000, with 46 fatalities. This lion. At that time, the proposal Commissioners will be reinstated on March 12, 2021

www.TheIndianEYE .com