'Positive step': UN, US welcome India, Pakistan statement on ceasefire

The United Nations and the United States have welcomed the India, Pakistan joint statement on ceasefire along the Line of Control saying it is a "positive step".

A spokesperson for UN secretary general Antonio Guterres said that the world body chief hopes that the ceasefire agreement would "provide an opportunity for further dialogue".

Reacting to the ceasefire, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the deal is a positive step. She added that US keeps encouraging both the countries to keep building upon this progress.

At a separate news conference, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the administration had called on the parties to reduce tensions along the LoC by returning to the 2003 ceasefire agreement.id