Unicaus NEWS
New Delhi/Islamabad/Washington: India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire, halting all military action across land, air, and sea, effective from 5 PM Indian Standard Time on Saturday. The understanding was reached following direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations of both countries. This development comes in the wake of heightened tensions and military exchanges in recent days.
India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, affirmed India’s unwavering stance against terrorism despite the ceasefire. In a statement, he said, “India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action. India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so.” This reiterates India’s long-held position that cross-border terrorism remains a critical issue.
Providing details on how the ceasefire came about, India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, stated that the Director General of Military Operations of Pakistan initiated the call to his Indian counterpart at 3:35 PM on Saturday. “It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time. Today, instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding,” Misri said. He also added that the DGMOs are scheduled to speak again on May 12th at noon.
The role of the United States in facilitating this ceasefire has, however, seen differing accounts. US President Donald Trump claimed the US mediated the agreement, stating on Truth Social, “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this, mentioning engagement with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, in the 48 hours preceding the ceasefire announcement.
Rubio also suggested that the agreement includes plans for broader talks at a neutral site. Contrarily, Indian officials have maintained that the understanding was reached directly between India and Pakistan. A statement from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, tagged with #IndiaFightsPropaganda, asserted, “Stoppage of firing and military action between India and Pakistan was worked out directly between the two countries.” It further clarified, “No decision to hold talks on any other issue at any other place.”
This ceasefire provides a crucial de-escalation after a period of significant military activity, which followed a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed the lives of 26 people. India had responded with what it termed “precision strikes” on terror launchpads.
While the guns may have fallen silent for now, the differing narratives surrounding the US role and India’s firm stance on terrorism highlight the complex dynamics of India-Pakistan relations. The agreement to have the DGMOs speak again in two days suggests a channel for communication remains open, but the path towards a lasting peace remains fraught with challenges, particularly concerning the issue of cross-border terrorism.
