Bhubaneswar: May 11: After an unexpected declaration on a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, US President Donald Trump has proposed to work together with the two nations to resolve the Kashmir conflict. New Delhi has consistently asserted that Kashmir is an essential component of India and has rejected third-party mediation. A response from the Indian government to the Trump proposal is anticipated.
In an unexpected announcement Friday afternoon, Trump declared that India and Pakistan have consented to a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire. The development was unexpected, given that the two parties had engaged in intense hostilities within hours prior, with India targeting airbases and critical military installations in Pakistan.
“I am very proud of the strong and unwaveringly powerful leadership of India and Pakistan for having the strength, wisdom, and fortitude to fully know and understand that it was time to stop the current aggression that could have led to the death and destruction of so many, and so much. Millions of good and innocent people could have died! Your legacy is greatly enhanced by your brave actions,” the US President posted on Truth Social, a social media platform he owns.
American President friend further added,
“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,” the US President posted.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, Over the past 48 hours, @VP Vance and I have engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, 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 the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site. We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace.
Subsequently, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri affirmed the ceasefire. The Director General of Military Operations of India received a call from his Pakistani counterpart yesterday afternoon. “They mutually agreed to cease all firing and military operations on land, in the air, and at sea, effective from 1700 hours IST on Saturday,” he stated. Instructions have been sent on both sides to implement this agreement. The DGMOs will meet again on May 12 at 1200 hours,” he stated.
The ceasefire followed four days of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. In reaction for the Pahalgam terror incident, which killed 26 innocent people, India started Operation Sindoor on May 7, carrying out airstrikes on militant facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. New Delhi emphasised that it did not target any civilian or military installations, and that its sole goal was to attack terrorist organisations. Pakistan, on the other hand, replied with severe shelling, resulting in civilian casualties, as well as a barrage of drones and missiles aimed at civilian targets. India’s air defence intercepted the majority of the projectiles. In response, India bombed Pakistan’s military infrastructure, including critical airbases, causing significant damage.
