India and Pakistan Agree to Ceasefire After Deadly Escalation: What This Means for South Asia

After days of missile strikes, drone attacks, and rising civilian casualties, India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire, halting what had become their most dangerous military escalation in decades. The agreement, announced Saturday, followed US-led negotiations and involved mediation by Saudi Arabia and Turkey, according to officials.

The truce took effect at 5:00 p.m. IST (11:30 GMT) on May 10, 2025, but uncertainty remains after fresh explosions were reported in Indian-administered Kashmir just hours later.

What Sparked the Latest Conflict?

The flare-up began after a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir on April 22, which killed 26 civilians. India blamed Pakistan-based groups and launched “Operation Sindoor”, targeting alleged militant camps across the Line of Control (LoC).

In response, Pakistan launched “Operation Bunyan Marsoos”, striking Indian military targets with medium-range missiles. Both countries claimed to intercept incoming projectiles, but damage and casualties were confirmed on both sides. Over 60 people have been killed since the first Indian strikes on May 7.

Ceasefire Terms and Military Talks

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar both confirmed the ceasefire. Military commanders from both nations agreed to halt all military action by land, air, and sea, and activated direct communication lines to prevent further clashes.

The directors general of military operations will reconvene on May 12 to assess the ceasefire’s implementation.

Will Broader Talks Happen?

According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the ceasefire includes a framework for broader discussions on regional issues at a neutral location. However, India’s Ministry of Information partially denied this, saying no commitment has been made beyond the current ceasefire.

Experts like Subir Sinha of SOAS University believe such talks would represent a major shift in India’s policy, especially under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has historically taken a hard stance against Pakistan.

Why No War Declaration?

Despite heavy strikes and multiple casualties, neither country officially declared war. This follows a long-standing pattern between the two nations. Since 1947, India and Pakistan have fought multiple large-scale battles — including the Kargil conflict and the 1965 war — without formally declaring war.

Modern international law tends to classify such events as “armed conflict” rather than “war,” which carries significant legal consequences, including obligations under the Geneva Conventions.

Third-Party Mediation: A Proven Path

This is not the first time a third-party has helped de-escalate Indo-Pak tensions:

• In 1948, the UN brokered a ceasefire in Kashmir’s first war.
  
• In 1966, the Soviet Union helped negotiate the Tashkent Declaration after the 1965 war.
  
• In 1999, then-US President Bill Clinton played a crucial role in ending the Kargil War.
  
• In 2002, US Secretary Colin Powell helped ease tensions following an attack on India’s Parliament.
  

Saturday’s truce follows this legacy, but analysts caution that true peace will require deeper political engagement and restoration of suspended treaties like the Indus Waters Treaty.

What Comes Next?

While the ceasefire halts immediate violence, tensions remain high. Explosions were heard in Srinagar and Jammu hours after the ceasefire announcement, raising fears that rogue elements or misunderstandings could unravel the fragile peace.

India and Pakistan both maintain nuclear arsenals, making any escalation a threat to regional—and even global—security. Whether this ceasefire will be a stepping stone to long-term stability, or simply a pause in an ongoing rivalry, is still unclear.

Do you think this ceasefire will hold, or is it just another pause in a decades-old conflict? Share your thoughts below.

More…

• https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/air-raid-alert-in-rajasthan-barmer-gunshots-in-j-ks-baramulla-after-india-pakistan-ceasefire-101746890273530.html
• https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/10/india-and-pakistan-agree-ceasefire-what-does-it-mean
• https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/india-and-pakistan-agree-to-a-ceasefire-in-us-mediated-talks