On Saturday, India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire following four days of escalating military confrontations, easing fears of a potential war between the two nuclear-armed nations.
U.S. President Donald Trump revealed the news in a post on Truth Social, stating, “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.” Both governments later confirmed the agreement, marking a significant shift in the region’s tense dynamics.
Diplomatic efforts lead to ceasefire
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio elaborated on the negotiations, indicating that a commitment was made “to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site.” Rubio, alongside U.S. Vice President JD Vance, had been engaging with high-ranking officials from both India and Pakistan over the previous 48 hours to facilitate the ceasefire.
“We thank President Trump for his leadership and proactive role for peace in the region,” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X.
In a further development, top military officials from both countries are scheduled to meet on Monday, as reported by the Times of India.
Rising tensions and historical conflict
The ceasefire comes after both nations exchanged some of the most intense airstrikes since their conflict reignited on Wednesday, highlighting the urgent need for de-escalation. India’s military accused Pakistan of “blatant escalation with drone strikes and other munitions” along its western borders, asserting its commitment to “thwart enemy designs.” Accusations have flown between both sides, with India alleging Pakistan’s support for terrorist groups involved in a deadly attack on tourists in India-controlled Kashmir last month, claims which Pakistan has vehemently denied.
Since gaining independence from Britain in 1947, India and Pakistan have engaged in several wars, primarily over the disputed Kashmir region. The recent clashes have rekindled concerns of a larger conflict that could escalate dramatically, given that both nations possess significant nuclear arsenals—India is estimated to have 180 nuclear warheads, while Pakistan has around 170. While India’s nuclear policy includes a “No First Use” doctrine, recent ambiguities have raised questions about its application. In contrast, Pakistan has not established a no first use policy.
This precarious situation has induced alarm globally, with diplomatic efforts from countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, all of which maintain strong relations with both India and Pakistan, aimed at quelling the conflict.