New Delhi, April 7 : India on Thursday welcomed the announcement of a two-month ceasefire in Yemen and hoped it would lead to a more comprehensive and durable ceasefire and build a positive momentum towards an inclusive political process to end the eight-year-long debilitating war. “We welcome the announcement of the two-month ceasefire in the Yemen conflict from April 2, 2022 at the initiative of UNSG’s Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. “We hope that this truce will lead to a more comprehensive and durable ceasefire and build positive momentum towards an inclusive political process to end the eight-year-long conflict in Yemen. “India has historical and friendly ties with Yemen and hopes for peace, security and prosperity for the people of Yemen as well as the region,” the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. Yemen’s warring parties have agreed to a nationwide truce for the first time since 2016. The ceasefire is meant to last for two months but is eligible for renewal. It is the most significant step towards ending the hostilities since the war began seven years ago. The truce, agreed to late last week, is meant to halt all military operations in Yemen and across its borders. It will also allow fuel imports into rebel-held areas, as well as allow certain flights to operate from Sana’a airport, according to the UN envoy. The Yemen war has been described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the conflict is fought between a Saudi-led military coalition and the Houthi rebel group, which is backed by Tehran. Both countries have welcomed the ceasefire. RN