In a significant diplomatic development, India and Pakistan have mutually agreed to enforce a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire across all domains—land, air, and sea—effective from 5 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on Saturday.
This critical decision was announced by India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, during a formal press briefing.
According to Foreign Secretary Misri, the agreement was reached following a high-level communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two nations earlier in the day.
The conversation, initiated by Pakistan’s DGMO at approximately 3:35 PM IST, resulted in both sides consenting to cease all military engagements and hostile actions from 5:00 PM onwards.
The ceasefire covers all modes of warfare, including ground skirmishes, aerial maneuvers, and naval operations.
Misri emphasized that both governments have issued clear directives to their respective armed forces and defense establishments to implement the ceasefire protocol without delay.
“Instructions have been dispatched to all relevant units to enforce the cessation of military activity by this understanding,” he stated.
Furthermore, it was confirmed that the DGMOs will reconvene via telecommunication at noon IST in May to review the progress of the ceasefire and deliberate further on maintaining peace and stability along the borders.
This development, according to Indian diplomatic sources, is the result of direct bilateral dialogue between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, carried out without any third-party mediation.
These sources have firmly asserted that the agreement was shaped solely through direct communications between New Delhi and Islamabad, rejecting any claims suggesting external involvement.
India’s Firm Position on Terrorism Unchanged
Commenting on the announcement, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated India’s consistent and unyielding position on the issue of terrorism.
“India and Pakistan have arrived at a mutual understanding regarding the halting of hostilities and armed confrontations,” he said.
“However, India’s commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations remains steadfast and non-negotiable.”
The ceasefire comes amid heightened tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), triggered by multiple drone incursions allegedly originating from Pakistan.
Indian air defense systems had been actively intercepting these drones over the past several days, as tensions escalated.
In a retaliatory move on May 7, the Indian Armed Forces launched a coordinated counterterrorism operation, code-named Operation Sindoor, targeting known terrorist training camps located within Pakistan and the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) region.
This offensive was carried out in response to a deadly terror attack that took place in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. The attack, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian citizens, was attributed to Pakistan-based terror groups.
Pakistan Confirms Truce, Reaffirms Commitment to Peace
Confirming the ceasefire from Islamabad’s side, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, expressed Pakistan’s readiness to uphold peace in the region. “Pakistan and India have officially agreed to implement an immediate ceasefire,” he stated.
“Pakistan remains committed to regional peace and security, while also safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
In a reciprocal move aligned with the spirit of de-escalation, Pakistan has also reopened its airspace for civilian and military aviation as of Saturday.
Terms and Conditions of the Ceasefire Agreement
As per current details, the ceasefire understanding includes several important stipulations:
- The Indus Waters Treaty, a longstanding water-sharing accord between the two countries, will remain suspended until further notice.
- There will be no relaxation or rollback of existing visa restrictions imposed by India on Pakistani nationals.
- India has made it clear that there will be no compromise on issues related to terrorism, and that national security remains paramount.
Controversy Over US Mediation Claims
Despite the strong emphasis from Indian authorities that the ceasefire was purely bilateral, United States President Donald Trump has made a contrary claim.
Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, President Trump asserted that the agreement was reached following intensive overnight discussions mediated by senior US officials.
“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,” Trump declared.
Supporting this claim, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided further details, stating that in the 48 hours leading up to the ceasefire, top American officials—including Vice President Vance and himself—had been in constant communication with Indian and Pakistani leadership.
The high-level engagements reportedly included Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, as well as the National Security Advisors of both countries, Ajit Doval and Asim Malik.
Secretary Rubio praised the leadership of both nations, remarking, “We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif for their prudence and statesmanship in choosing dialogue and restraint over further escalation.”
However, Indian government representatives have categorically denied any involvement by the United States in brokering the ceasefire. They maintain that the decision was arrived at solely through direct engagement between the Indian and Pakistani military and diplomatic channels.
