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India and Pakistan on Saturday agreed that they will stop firing and military action from 5 pm today after days of escalations between the two countries following attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 people.Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “DGMO of Pakistan called up DGMO at 3.35 pm. They agreed that both sides will stop all firing and military action from air and from sea from 5 pm onwards.”Earlier, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, “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. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”US Secretary of State Marco Ru Rubio posted on X, “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.”He said, “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.”Indian government sources said that the stoppage of firing and military action between India and Pakistan was worked out “directly between the two countries”.“The Pak DGMO initiated the call this afternoon after which discussions took place and understanding reached. There is no decision to hold talks on any other issue at any other place,” sources said.Pakistan Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said, “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!”Earlier in the day, after a phone conversation with US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, External Affairs minister S Jaishankar said that India’s approach has always been measured and responsible.Rubio, who spoke to Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, said that he “offered US assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts.” This was the first direct contact between the US administration and the Pakistan Army Chief, the man at the centre of the Pakistan’s actions.The phone conversation between Jaishankar and Rubio came as Indian and Pakistani militaries targeted each other’s installations, escalating the situation.“Had a conversation with US @SecRubio this morning. India’s approach has always been measured and responsible and remains so,” Jaishankar said in a social media post.The US State Department said Rubio emphasised that both sides need to identify methods to de-escalate and re-establish direct communication to avoid miscalculation.“He further proposed US support in facilitating productive discussions to avert future disputes,” US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.Rubio had also spoken to Pakistan’s Deputy PM and Foreign minister Ishaq Dar, and US Secretary and NSA “reiterated that both parties must find ways to de-escalate the current situation and re-establish direct communication to avoid miscalculation.” Rubio also offered “US assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts.”In his call with Jaishankar, Rubio “emphasised that both sides need to identify methods to de-escalate and re-establish direct communication to avoid miscalculation.”Rubio had previously spoken with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.On Friday, the White House had said US President Donald Trump wants to see the conflict between India and Pakistan de-escalate “as quickly as possible.” “The President has expressed he wants to see this de-escalate as quickly as possible. He understands these are two countries that have been at odds with one another for decades, long before President Trump was here in the Oval Office,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.“This is something that the Secretary of State and, of course, now our national security advisor as well, Marco Rubio, has been very much involved in,” Leavitt added.
