SRINAGAR, May 10, KDC: In a major diplomatic breakthrough, India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire, with talks on a broad set of bilateral issues to begin soon at a neutral location. The development was confirmed by top U.S. officials and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister on Saturday evening.
U.S. President Donald Trump was the first to announce the agreement, stating on his social media platform Truth Social:
“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!”
The ceasefire was later confirmed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“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.”
Rubio also revealed that he and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance had spent the last 48 hours engaging directly with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif.
Shortly after Rubio’s statement, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar officially confirmed the agreement in Islamabad.
“Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Dar said, adding that Pakistan welcomes the ceasefire and is ready for meaningful engagement.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation from New Delhi, although sources indicate backchannel communication had been ongoing for the past several days following heightened cross-border hostilities.
The ceasefire agreement comes amid heightened tensions following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, and India’s launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7 — a series of air-launched precision strikes targeting Pakistani military infrastructure in retaliation.
Global concern has grown in recent days over the possibility of wider escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The United States, which has played a key mediating role, appears to have facilitated a diplomatic opening that both sides are now prepared to explore.
Details regarding the venue and agenda for the upcoming dialogue have not yet been disclosed. However, diplomatic sources suggest that the talks may focus on a range of long-standing issues, including cross-border terrorism, military de-escalation, and humanitarian confidence-building measures.
The announcement has been welcomed by the international community, with observers cautiously optimistic about the potential for a reset in bilateral ties after one of the most tense episodes in recent years. (kdc)
