India, Pakistan Agree to Ceasefire After Direct Talks and U.S. Mediation
New Delhi: In a significant development after days of heightened military tensions, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire effective from 5:00 PM on Saturday, following direct military-level talks between the two countries. The truce was confirmed by the Indian government during a press briefing led by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
According to official sources, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan reached out to his Indian counterpart at 3:30 PM on Saturday. The two top military officials held direct talks and mutually agreed to halt all military operations across all domains—land, air, and sea—starting 5:00 PM the same day.
“The Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan called the DGMO of India at 15:30 hours this afternoon. It was agreed between them that both sides would cease all firing and military action on land, in the air, and at sea with effect from 1700 hours,” Foreign Secretary Misri announced. He added that both sides have been instructed to implement the understanding fully and that another round of DGMO-level communication is scheduled for May 12.
The announcement came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social claiming that the ceasefire was the result of overnight talks mediated by the United States. “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,” President Trump wrote.
Government sources in India acknowledged that National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had been in continuous discussions with their American counterparts over the past few days. They had reportedly kept Prime Minister Narendra Modi updated on the evolving situation. However, sources emphasized that India agreed to the ceasefire on its own terms and conditions.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar confirmed that the agreement was reached directly between the two nations. “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,” he said.
While India downplayed U.S. involvement in the actual agreement, American diplomatic efforts are believed to have played a decisive role in de-escalating the situation. According to sources, the United States exerted direct pressure on Pakistan by tying the provisional release of a $1 billion tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to immediate acceptance of the ceasefire. The release of the remaining amount, reportedly, will depend on Pakistan’s full compliance.
Additionally, the U.S. administration is said to have formally recognized India’s revised war doctrine, which considers any future terrorist attack as an act of war. This recognition, combined with financial leverage, is believed to have influenced Pakistan’s decision to agree to the truce.
The ceasefire marks a rare diplomatic breakthrough between the two nuclear-armed neighbours and comes amid fears of further escalation after a series of cross-border skirmishes and public warnings exchanged over the past week.
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