India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, brokered by the United States, following days of escalating hostilities that had raised fears of a broader conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations.
The truce was first announced on Saturday afternoon by US President Donald Trump, who credited two days of intense diplomacy led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice-President JD Vance.
“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,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The ceasefire was later confirmed by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on X, stating it would take effect “with immediate effect.”
As a result of the announcement, Pakistan has re-opened its airspace to all aircraft.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said senior military officials from both sides had spoken on Saturday afternoon. “It was agreed that both sides would cease all firing and military activity on land, at sea, and in the air. Orders have been issued accordingly,” he said, adding that the military leadership would reconvene on 12 May.
Rubio claimed the agreement followed extensive negotiations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as well as other senior officials. “We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif for their wisdom and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace,” he posted on X.
The Trump administration’s active involvement marked a reversal from Vice-President Vance’s position just 48 hours earlier, when he said the conflict was “none of our business.”
The ceasefire allows both sides to claim a moral or strategic victory. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar reiterated New Delhi’s uncompromising stance against terrorism, while in Pakistan, Senator Sherry Rehman praised the leadership for emerging from the conflict with “dignity, professionalism and national resolve intact.”
The agreement followed a dangerous spike in hostilities, including reported cross-border missile strikes and aerial assaults. Both nations accused each other of initiating attacks on military installations early Saturday, with fears mounting that the situation could escalate into full-scale war. India and Pakistan have fought four wars since independence, the most recent in 1999.
Both sides expressed willingness to de-escalate provided the other ceased attacks, and Saturday’s ceasefire appears to have temporarily halted the rapid spiral toward wider war.
Earlier in the day, the G7 had urged India and Pakistan to exercise “maximum restraint,” amid growing international alarm.
Once again, an all-out conflict between the two South Asian rivals has been averted - at least for now.
Pakistan announced that the nation was opening up its airspace for all kinds of traffic moments after the nation agreed with India on a ceasefire amid the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, reported the news agency PTI.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced the development on Saturday as the nation eyes normalcy amid the raging tensions with India.
“All airports in the country are available for normal flight operations. Passengers are requested to contact the relevant airline for the latest schedule of their flights,” they said, according to the agency report.
According to the report, Pakistan's airspace has been fully restored for all types of flights, and the airports are available for normal flight operations.
