Ceasefire Declared: India-Pakistan War Halt Hostilities After US-Led Talks

In a significant development amid escalating tensions, US President Donald Trump announced that India and Pakistan have agreed to a "full and immediate" ceasefire, following days of intense cross-border hostilities. This announcement came after a series of diplomatic efforts spearheaded by the United States to de-escalate the situation.

Trump, in his message on the Truth Social platform, expressed his satisfaction at the breakthrough, stating, “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. Congratulations to both countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence.” The post was accompanied by remarks from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had engaged with top officials in both nations, urging them to de-escalate tensions after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead, mostly tourists.

Rubio’s statement emphasized the constructive dialogue between Indian and Pakistani officials. He revealed that, “Over the past 48 hours, VP Vance and I engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and National Security Advisors Ajit Doval and Asim Malik. I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site.” Rubio further commended both leaders for their diplomatic approach, referring to their actions as a “path of peace.”

India's Official Confirmation of Ceasefire

On the Indian side, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the agreement. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the media, stating that Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) had contacted the Indian DGMO on Saturday afternoon, and it was mutually agreed that all military actions—across land, air, and sea—would cease at 1700 hours IST. Misri mentioned that further talks would take place between the two countries' military leaders on May 12.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also emphasized India’s firm stance against terrorism, noting that while the ceasefire was a significant step, India would continue to uphold its commitment to fighting terrorism in all forms. He further clarified that the understanding between the two nations was reached through direct discussions, with no external interference in the talks.

Pakistan Confirms Ceasefire and Peace Efforts

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, also took to social media to confirm the ceasefire, stating, "Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity." His comments echoed the sentiment of peace but also underlined the importance of maintaining national sovereignty amidst international pressures.

Jaishankar had earlier mentioned that he had spoken with US Secretary of State Rubio to discuss India’s position. Although the details of their conversation were not disclosed, Jaishankar reaffirmed India's dedication to a "measured and responsible" approach to regional tensions.

Background to the Hostilities

The flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan had been building over the past few weeks. The violence reached a peak after terrorists linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba-affiliated terror group, The Resistance Front (TRF), launched a brutal attack in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 26 civilians, mostly tourists. This prompted widespread condemnation and led to a series of military escalations.

India’s response came swiftly, with the launch of ‘Operation Sindoor’, a series of airstrikes targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which resulted in significant damage to terrorist infrastructure and the elimination of several high-profile militants. Pakistan, in turn, launched a retaliatory attack along the Line of Control (LoC), which was countered by Indian forces.

The situation worsened when Pakistan launched a drone strike across 26 locations, stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat. In response, India executed precision strikes on eight Pakistani military sites, including airbases and civilian infrastructure.

In retaliation, Pakistan initiated ‘Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos,’ targeting Indian positions, but the offensive was swiftly crushed by Indian military action. As the violence spread, international pressure mounted on both nations to halt military actions and return to the negotiating table. Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, noted that Pakistan would consider halting its operations if India reciprocated.

The ceasefire announcement has been welcomed by the international community, but the road ahead remains uncertain. Both sides have agreed to continue talks, but significant challenges remain, especially in addressing core issues such as terrorism, territorial disputes, and national security concerns.

The US-brokered ceasefire is a temporary but essential step toward reducing tensions in the region. However, experts warn that unless underlying issues are addressed through sustained dialogue, the fragile peace could be short-lived. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether both nations can move beyond the ceasefire and initiate a broader conversation on long-term peace and security in the region.