New Delhi: On Sunday morning, US President Donald Trump praised the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, which followed four days of severe conflict stemming from the Pahalgam terror attack. He remarked that the ongoing aggression could have resulted in the loss of millions of lives.
Trump expressed his intention to enhance trade relations with both nations and collaborate with them to address the Kashmir issue. On Saturday evening, he had announced via social media that India and Pakistan had consented to cease military operations against one another following US-mediated discussions. However, India clarified that the ceasefire was achieved through direct dialogue with Pakistan.
‘I take great pride in the strong and resolute leadership demonstrated by India and Pakistan, who have shown the strength, wisdom, and courage to recognize the necessity of halting the current hostilities that could have led to immense loss of life and devastation. Millions of innocent lives could have been at risk! Your legacy is significantly strengthened by your courageous decisions. I am proud that the USA played a role in facilitating this historic and commendable agreement. Although not previously discussed, I plan to significantly increase trade with both of these remarkable nations. Furthermore, I will collaborate with you to explore the possibility of resolving the Kashmir issue after a millennium. God bless the leadership of India and Pakistan for a job well done,’ Trump stated today on Truth Social.
India-Pakistan ceasefire ‘understanding’
On Saturday, India and Pakistan reached an agreement to cease all military operations across land, air, and sea, effective immediately. However, shortly thereafter, Pakistan violated this agreement by launching drone attacks on Indian cities. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri urged Pakistan to take necessary actions to rectify these breaches and to handle the situation with the utmost seriousness and responsibility.
He noted that there had been multiple violations of the agreement established earlier that evening between the Directors General of Military Operations of both nations. Misri emphasized that this constituted a breach of the understanding reached earlier in the day and stated that the Indian armed forces would provide an adequate and appropriate response to these violations.
Earlier on Saturday, Misri had confirmed that the ceasefire agreement was established following a call from the Director General of Military Operations of Pakistan to his Indian counterpart in the afternoon, during which both parties agreed to halt all military actions effective from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated on April 22 after a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, primarily tourists.
