After several days of deadly clashes between Pakistan and India, the two countries agreed yesterday to an “immediate ceasefire”, announced by US President Donald Trump, who praised the “common sense” shown by the two nuclear powers.
Since Wednesday, the neighbouring countries have been exchanging artillery fire, drone strikes, and missile attacks, sparking fears of a full-scale war and prompting numerous foreign capitals to call for restraint.
Trump stated in a post on his Truth Social platform: “After a long night of US-brokered talks, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire,” commending both nations for “resorting to common sense and great wisdom.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed on X that Islamabad and New Delhi had agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. He added that around 30 countries participated in the diplomatic efforts that led to the agreement.
An Indian government source in New Delhi confirmed the agreement was reached through direct negotiations between India and Pakistan, noting that the two neighbours did not intend to discuss anything beyond the ceasefire.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced that Islamabad is ready to engage in constructive diplomacy and comprehensive dialogue with India, seeking to resolve all issues.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the agreement came after intense negotiations that he and Vice President JD Vance conducted with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other senior officials.
Rubio stated on X, “I’m pleased to announce that the governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to begin talks on a wide range of issues in a neutral location.”
Pakistani Prime Minister said, “We believe this represents a new beginning in resolving the issues that have plagued the region and obstructed the path to peace, prosperity, and stability.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the agreement, expressing hope that it would lead to “lasting peace”. His spokesperson said in a statement, “The Secretary-General welcomes the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan as a positive step towards ending current hostilities and reducing tensions. He hopes this agreement will contribute to lasting peace and provide a favourable environment for resolving long-standing and broader issues between the two countries.”
Saudi Arabia also welcomed the ceasefire agreement on X, voicing optimism that it would help restore security and peace in the region.
Saudi Arabia had played a mediating role between the two allies of Riyadh.
India accused the group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations and based in Pakistan, of carrying out the attack. However, Islamabad denied any involvement and called for an independent investigation.
Following diplomatic sanctions and water-sharing threats, the two countries launched on Wednesday their worst military confrontation in decades.
On that day, India carried out air strikes on several Pakistani cities, claiming to have destroyed “terrorist camps,” which triggered a spiral of retaliatory attacks.
Yesterday, Pakistan announced it had launched counterattacks on India after three of its airbases were hit overnight, one of which is located near Islamabad.
The Pakistani Prime Minister said that “through this operation, Pakistan has delivered an appropriate response to India and avenged the innocent victims,” fulfilling a promise he made in a national address on Wednesday.
India confirmed it had been subjected to a series of drone attacks targeting military sites throughout its northeastern territories.
A news agency’s correspondents reported hearing loud explosions in Srinagar, the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir.
In the early morning hours yesterday, the Awantipora Air Base near Srinagar was shelled, and it was hit again at noon, according to a police source who requested anonymity.
Amid these developments, the US Secretary of State urged both foreign ministers to “urgently identify de-escalation pathways and resume direct communications to avoid any miscalculation,” while China raised its tone, firmly calling on both neighbours to exercise restraint.
According to official figures released by both sides, the violence has killed around 60 civilians since Wednesday.
The state of war has triggered a large displacement of people on both sides of the “Line of Control,” which divides the disputed Kashmir region between the two countries.
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