India and Pakistan Agree to Ceasefire after Weeks of Tensions

India and Pakistan have said they have agreed to a ceasefire after four days of escalating cross-border military strikes.

The news was announced on social media by US President Donald Trump who said the "full and immediate ceasefire" had happened after US mediation.

However, hours after the announcement, residents and reporters in the main Indian-administered Kashmiri cities of Srinagar and Jammu reported hearing the sounds of explosions, although neither India or Pakistan has commented on them.

In the last few days there has been a series of drone and missile attacks since Delhi launched attacks against Islamabad over the killing of Indian tourists by militants in the Indian-administered Kashmir region. Pakistan had denied any involvement.

Kashmir is claimed in full by India and Pakistan, but administered only in part by each since they were partitioned following independence from Britain in 1947.

It has been a flashpoint between the two nuclear-armed nations and they have have fought two wars over it.

Speaking on Saturday, India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar said the two nations had "worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action".

"India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so," he added.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said: "Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

India's strikes on Wednesday sparked a chorus of calls for de-escalation from the international community.

China had urged both countries to prioritise peace and stability and a statement from G7 nations called for "maximum restraint".

Speaking after the ceasefire announcement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said India and Pakistan had agreed to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site.

He said he and US Vice-President JD Vance spent the prior 48 hours with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including their respective Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he welcomed "all efforts to de-escalate the conflict".

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Britain has been "engaged" in talks for "some days", with Foreign Secretary David Lammy speaking to both sides.

"I'm pleased to see today that there's a ceasefire," he said. "The task now is to make sure that that is enduring and is lasting."

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post