Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, May 10: India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire and that military action has been paused as of 5pm (IST), the External Affairs Ministry announced on Saturday.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held a very brief press conference in New Delhi where he made the announcement.
India confirmed the ceasefire shortly after US President Donald Trump announced it on his Truth Social platform. “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!” Trump posted.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a brief statement, said: “Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan agreed that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, air and sea from 5 pm.”
“The Director General of Military Operations of Pakistan called the Director General of Military Operations of India at 1535 hours IST earlier today. 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 the understanding. The Director Generals of Military Operations will talk again on the 12th of May at 1200 hours,” Misri said in a very brief statement to the media.
India said 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,” asserted sources.
Shortly before the breakthrough, India had warned that “any act of terror will be considered an act of war.” India’s statements following the ceasefire announcement underscored that warning.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, confirming that the two countries have “worked out an understanding”, said India would continue its uncompromising stance against terrorism. “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,” the Minister posted on X.
Before claiming to broker peace, the US had said “we’re not going to get involved in the middle of war that’s fundamentally none of our business.” Soon after US President announced that a breakthrough has been reached, his Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he and Vice President JD Vance engaged with Indian and Pakistani officials, including the Prime Ministers of the two nations, to broker a truce.
“Over the past 48 hours, @VP 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. We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace,” Mr Rubio posted on X.
Tensions between India and Pakistan soared significantly after the Indian armed forces on Wednesday conducted precision strikes targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that had cross-border linkages. Pakistan has since then attempted to attack a number of military installations and civilian population along India’s northern and western borders. India has said it has responded befittingly.
