Nepal, May 16 -- The leadership of India and Pakistan acted wisely to reach a ceasefire agreement on May 10. Although a few violations have been reported, the maximum efforts should be made to hold on to this ceasefire and to initiate other efforts to further strengthen safety and peace in both countries. Earlier the fast-escalating South Asian crisis was causing increasing concern all over the world. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the outset had appealed for maximum restraint.

There are several examples in history of two sides not wanting war yet not being able to stop the drift towards war as one escalation led to another. This chain of escalations must stop at an early stage if a fullblown war is to be prevented, and the lea...