With the vicious circle of military strikes and counter-strikes threatening to spiral out of control, India and Pakistan, the two nuclear-armed neighbours, have agreed to stop firing and military action from 5 pm on May 10.
“DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) of Pakistan called up DGMO (of India) at 3.35 pm. They agreed that both sides will stop all firing and military action from land, air and sea from 5 pm onwards,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced tersely at a press briefing in New Delhi. Mr Misri added that DGMOs will talk again at noon on May 12.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reinforced this understanding in a post on X. “India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action.” Dr Jaishankar also made it clear that the announcement of a temporary ceasefire does not mean dilution of India’s uncompromising stance against cross-border terrorism.“India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so,” he wrote.
US President Donald Trump broke the news on his social media platform, Truth Social, indicating hectic diplomacy by Washington to defuse tensions at a time when Pakistan was threatening a nuclear strike. “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. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Shortly after Trump’s declaration, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had posted on X, “Over the past 48 hours, Vice-President Vance and I have engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, 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,” he said. “We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace.” Government sources in India clarified that the stoppage of firing and military action was worked out “directly between the two countries”. “The Pakistan DGMO initiated the call this afternoon, after which discussions took place and an understanding was reached. There is no decision to hold talks on any other issue at any other place,” sources said. In a post on X, Pakistan Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar wrote, “Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
