SRINAGAR, May 10, KDC: In a firm counter to public claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Indian government clarified on Saturday evening that the decision to halt all hostilities between India and Pakistan was a direct bilateral outcome of military-level communication, with no foreign mediation involved.
Addressing reporters in New Delhi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan initiated a call to his Indian counterpart at 15:35 hours IST today.
“It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, in the air, and at sea with effect from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time,” Misri announced.
“Instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding,” he added, firmly establishing the bilateral nature of the breakthrough.
Misri sressed that the understanding was achieved directly between the two countries’ military leadership, “without the involvement of any third party.”
This statement comes just hours after President Trump took to social media to declare that the ceasefire was the result of “a long night of talks mediated by the United States,” and that he was “pleased to announce a full and immediate ceasefire.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President J.D. Vance had similarly claimed diplomatic credit, with Rubio stating that Washington had worked intensely with both countries’ top leaders over the past 48 hours.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, too, had earlier confirmed the ceasefire agreement, while reiterating Islamabad’s desire for peace without compromising on sovereignty.
Today’s developments follow weeks of heightened tensions, triggered by the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7 by Indian forces. The ceasefire, effective from 5 PM IST today, aims to end the exchange of fire and hostilities that had pushed the region to the brink of large-scale conflict.
The DGMOs of both countries are scheduled to speak again on May 12 at 1200 hours, potentially laying groundwork for broader military confidence-building measures. (KDC)
