In a historic diplomatic victory, President Donald J. Trump announced Friday that India and Pakistan have agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire”, concluding the most dangerous escalation between the two nuclear-armed rivals in over 20 years.
The agreement follows an intense round of backchannel negotiations led by the Trump administration, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance playing key roles in last-minute talks with top Indian and Pakistani leadership.
Trump’s Statement:
“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. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Details of the Ceasefire
The ceasefire, effective immediately, was confirmed in simultaneous press releases by both governments. According to India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, military operations by land, air, and sea were to halt beginning 5:00 PM IST. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar echoed the announcement, citing Pakistan’s “commitment to regional peace.”
The breakthrough comes just days after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians and was blamed by New Delhi on Pakistan-based militants. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting alleged terror infrastructure inside Pakistan. Islamabad answered with Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos, prompting fears of an all-out war.
U.S. Diplomacy Front and Center
Secretary Rubio confirmed on X that he and VP Vance had spoken with a wide range of military and civilian leaders:
“Over the past 48 hours, VP Vance and I have engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, Army Chief Munir, and both National Security Advisors.”
Rubio added that both nations have agreed to resume dialogue at a neutral location on broader security, intelligence-sharing, and Kashmir-related issues.
Ceasefire Violations Already?
However, Indian military sources are raising red flags. According to reports from the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan allegedly launched drone incursions into Jammu & Kashmir post-announcement. Indian Air Defense systems were activated in Srinagar, Udhampur, and Rajasthan. Artillery shelling was also reported in Akhnoor, Rajouri, and RS Pura sectors.
Whether these represent rogue elements, miscommunication, or deliberate escalation remains unclear.
What’s Next?
The success of this ceasefire hinges on mutual restraint, but the presence of radical factions, historical mistrust, and political pressures on both sides may undermine stability. Still, Trump’s bold move—coming at a time when global conflicts are spiraling—could mark a major milestone in American diplomacy.
The world watches now to see whether this deal holds… or if war returns to South Asia.
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