Investing.com -- On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced a breakthrough in tensions between India and Pakistan, stating that the two nations have agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire." The declaration followed a night of intense negotiations facilitated by the United States, aimed at de-escalating the military confrontation that had recently intensified.
"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," Trump said on his Truth social platform.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s military launched strikes against India, which they described as a response to ongoing provocations. According to Pakistan’s military, India had targeted their airbases with missile attacks, leading to Pakistan’s retaliatory action. The strikes from Pakistan involved medium-range Fateh missiles and targeted over 25 Indian military sites, including airbases and weapon depots across the states of Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, and in the disputed region of Kashmir under Indian administration.
India’s military swiftly condemned Pakistan’s actions, labeling them as a "blatant escalation" of the conflict. Indian officials reported that their air defenses had successfully engaged and neutralized the drone strikes along their western border. President Trump’s announcement on Truth Social praised the two countries for their use of "Common Sense and Great Intelligence" in reaching an agreement to cease hostilities.
The agreement to halt military actions comes after the situation escalated earlier in the day, with both nations exchanging fire. The ceasefire is seen as a significant step towards preventing further military engagement in the region.
The international community has been closely monitoring the situation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with concerns that any prolonged conflict could have severe implications for regional stability. The successful mediation by the United States and the subsequent ceasefire agreement have been welcomed as positive developments in maintaining peace in South Asia.