News Analysis: Pakistan, India agree to restore ceasefire in Kashmir

Pakistani and Indian border security officials have wrapped up key talks in New Delhi on an agreement to restore a border ceasefire that is seen as a major step to save lives of civilians and reduce tension in the area.

Although senior officials of the Pakistan's paramilitary Rangers and Indian Border Security Force met at their bi-annual session, this time, they focused on the recent escalation of tension along the Line of Control (LoC) and decided to stop the exchange of fire.

"The talks ended on an optimistic note with both sides agreeing on constant endeavors to maintain a peaceful and tranquil border," a joint statement said at the conclusion of three-day talks in New Delhi.

Cross-border shelling in recent weeks had caused civilian casualties and displacement on both sides of the border. Both sides had accused the other of violating the 2003 ceasefire agreement.

After the talks, however, they have agreed to hold joint investigation into these violations.

The agreement gives a sign of relief for thousands of people whose normal life had been badly affected by the recent escalation along the "working boundary", which separates Punjab in Pakistan and the Indian-administered Kashmir. Hundreds of people on both sides of the border have fled home due to the almost daily heavy shelling.

Besides, Pakistan and Indian forces also exchange fires on the LoC that divides the two uneasy and nuclear neighbors in the disputed Kashmir region.

Being nuclear states, the United Nations and friendly countries had expressed concerns over the tension between Pakistan and India.

Friendly countries had been urging the two South Asian states to peacefully resolve their bilateral issues and this call had obviously been heeded.

The meeting between border security officials of both countries meeting was a significant development since it was held just two weeks after the two countries cancelled a meeting of the national security advisers (NSAs) over the Kashmir dispute.

The advisers were scheduled to meet in New Delhi on Aug. 23 to Aug. 24 to discuss issues related to terrorism but Pakistan refused to attend over what it called "preconditions" by the Indian government.

The meeting was in fact put off after India raised objections at the proposed meeting of the Pakistani security adviser Sartaj Aziz with the Kashmiri separatist leaders during his planned visit to Islamabad. Islamabad had rejected New Delhi's advice against Aziz's meeting with the Hurriyat Conference leaders.

The restoration of the ceasefire could be a major confidence building measure that could also lead to the revival of other high level contacts and talks including the NSAs meeting. Both countries demonstrated flexibility to go ahead with the talks of the border officials that produced useful results.

One analyst said since the diplomatic channels had been kept open, it would be a wise decision for the two countries to proceed with the NSAs meeting.

The NSAs meeting was important as Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart had approved the talks during their summit in Russia in July mainly to tackle "terrorism- related issues."

Both countries routinely accuse each other of supporting terrorism so the NSAs meeting would be the best forum to address the issue.

Reports suggest that Pakistan and Indian border officials have also agreed to jointly resolve sensitive issues like ceasefire violations and cross-border infiltration through the exchange of information, including via e-mail and telephone.

They also signed other confidence building measures and underscored the need for ensuring security and the well-being of their border populations. They also decided to establish a coordinated border control mechanism to check cross-border smuggling. Endi