New Delhi: India and Pakistan have come to an agreement regarding the cessation of firing and military operations, stated External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday, while emphasizing India’s unwavering and uncompromising approach towards terrorism.
"Today, India and Pakistan have reached an understanding to halt all firing and military operations. India has consistently held a firm and uncompromising position against terrorism in all its forms and will persist in doing so," he expressed in a post on X.
These comments followed an agreement between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries to cease all firing and military actions.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed the press that the Director General of Military Operations in Pakistan reached out to his counterpart in India on Saturday afternoon.
"At 15:35 hours this afternoon, Pakistan's DGMO called the Indian DGMO. They agreed to halt all firing and military actions on land, in the air, and at sea, effective from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time," he stated.
"Instructions have been issued on both sides to implement this understanding today. The DGMOs will reconvene on the 12th of May at 1200 hours," he added.
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also affirmed the ceasefire. "Pakistan and India have reached an agreement for a ceasefire effective immediately. Pakistan has consistently aimed for peace and stability in the region while maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity," he mentioned in a post on X.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that both nations have agreed to initiate discussions on a wide range of issues at a neutral location.
"In the last 48 hours, Vice President Vance and I have been in conversations with senior officials from both India and Pakistan, 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. I am pleased to announce that the Governments of India and Pakistan have committed to an immediate ceasefire and to start discussions on a broad range of issues at a neutral venue. We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif for their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in opting for peace," he stated on X.
Earlier in the day, Misri pointed out that Pakistan's actions against India are "escalatory" and "provocative" and are being met with appropriate responses. He made these comments during a media briefing on Saturday morning, where evidence of Pakistan's provocations was presented alongside countering the fabrications being spread by the neighboring country.
India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a response to the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals. In retaliation, India struck nine terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan responded to this with a series of unprovoked escalations, utilizing artillery guns and drones.
