In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, India and Pakistan have agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire after days of military strikes and counter-strikes. The announcement came on the afternoon of May 10, bringing relief to millions across both nations following a period of intense hostilities.
The Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both countries established contact at 3:35 PM, with Pakistan’s DGMO initiating the call to India. According to Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, both sides agreed to “stop all firing and military action on land, and in the air and sea, with effect from 5 PM” Indian Standard Time on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
The ceasefire announcement was first revealed by US President Donald Trump through a post on his Truth Social platform, also posted on X. “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,” Trump wrote. “Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later elaborated that over the previous 48 hours, he and Vice President JD Vance had engaged with senior officials from both countries, “including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, and National Security Advisors Ajit Doval and Asim Malik.”
Jaishankar confirmed the development on social media platform X, stating: “India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action.” He emphasized that “India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so.”
Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar similarly acknowledged the ceasefire: “Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!”
Despite the ceasefire, Indian military officials delivered a stern message during a government briefing. Commodore Raghu R Nair stated, “While we will be adhering to the understanding reached today, we remain fully prepared and ever-vigilant and committed to defending the sovereignty and integrity of the motherland. Every misadventure by Pakistan has been met with strength and every future escalation will invite a decisive response.”
During the briefing, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh refuted Pakistan’s claims that India had targeted religious sites. “We hold every place of worship of all faiths in the highest regard,” she said. “No religious sites have been targeted by the Indian armed forces.”
The news of the ceasefire was met with jubilation across Pakistan. In Lahore, a young man named Mohammad Fateh called it “a big day for Pakistan,” adding, “Our forces responded with strength, and India had no choice but to agree to a ceasefire.” In Islamabad, 45-year-old Zubaida Bibi expressed joy, saying, “War brings nothing but suffering. We are happy that calm is returning. It feels like Eid to me.”
Celebrations were particularly meaningful in Kashmir, a region that has often borne the brunt of India-Pakistan conflicts. “For us, peace means survival,” said Zulfikar Ali, a resident of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. “We’ve suffered enough. I’m glad that both Pakistan and India have made a sensible decision.”
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the ceasefire “from the depths of my heart,” but lamented the timing. “Better late than never but had this ceasefire come two or three days earlier, perhaps the bloodshed we saw and the precious lives we lost, would have been safe,” he said. Abdullah pledged that his government would “provide relief and compensation to those who have suffered during this period.”
The international community has responded positively to the de-escalation. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres “welcomed all efforts to de-escalate the conflict,” according to his Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq.
Following the ceasefire announcement, Pakistan moved quickly to restore normalcy, with the Pakistan Airports Authority announcing the reopening of its airspace for all types of flights. “All airports in the country are available for normal flight operations. Passengers are requested to contact the relevant airline for the latest schedule of their flights,” the PAA statement read.
The DGMOs from both countries are scheduled to talk again on May 12, 2025, as part of continuing efforts to maintain the peace. Meanwhile, India’s Congress party has called for “Prime Minister Narendra Modi to chair an all-party meeting and take political parties into confidence” regarding the situation.
The ceasefire comes after days of escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, with both sides trading attacks as recently as the night before the truce was announced.
