UNITED NATIONS: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed a ceasefire announced by India and Pakistan on Saturday, calling it a “positive step” that should lead to peace, his spokesperson said.
Guterres “hopes the agreement will contribute to lasting peace and foster an environment conducive to addressing broader, longstanding issues between the two countries,” spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
“The United Nations stands ready to support efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region,” the spokesman for the UN chief said.
Pakistan and India on Saturday agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire” after days of escalating hostilities that brought the nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of an all-out war.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the development and said that India and Pakistan have agreed to start talks on a “broad set of issues at a neutral site”.
India’s Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri said a ceasefire was established between the two neighbours and the DGMOs would “talk again on May 12″.
The ceasefire agreement follows a dramatic escalation in military exchanges over the past several days, with both sides launching strikes and counter-strikes.
Early on Saturday, Pakistan’s military said that India had attacked three bases inside Pakistan with missiles.
In response, Pakistan claimed to have targeted multiple Indian military installations, including a missile storage site in northern India.
India later confirmed that its air force stations in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, and Bhuj had suffered damage to equipment and personnel.
US President Donald Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, stating, “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.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2025
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the agreement, saying that Pakistan and India had agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect.
“Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Dar said in a statement on X.
Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity!
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 10, 2025
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also announced the ceasefire, saying, “India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action.”
In a post on X, 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.”
Pakistan’s security sources reported that several Indian military posts along the Line of Control (LoC) were destroyed in retaliatory strikes.
These reportedly included the Chhao Gali post in the Pando sector, Lal Jan post in Lipa sector, and supply depots in Uri. The destruction of these targets was described by Pakistani officials as a “major success”.
Saturday’s confrontation marked the most severe fighting between the two countries in decades, with sustained drone attacks, missile exchanges, and heavy artillery fire across the LoC since Wednesday.
Throughout the week, allies and friends like Saudi Arabia, China, Iran, the UK, and Qatar have offered mediation and urged restraint.
The Group of Seven (G7) major countries called on India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue, while the US government said it had offered assistance in starting “constructive talks.”
