Ceasefire Agreed, Violated within Hours: Inside the India-Pakistan Crisis

Moneylife Digital Team 11 May 2025

Investor Interest

In a dramatic turn of events after weeks of escalating tensions, nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire on 10 May 2025. That ceasefire was agreed upon and violated hours later. The agreement brought a halt at least for now to the deadliest military standoff between the two countries in decades. The crisis was triggered by a terrorist attack in Indian administered Kashmir on 22 April 2025 that killed 26 civilians.

The ceasefire officially came into effect at 5:00pm IST on 10 May 2025, ending all military actions across land, air, and sea. According to India’s foreign secretary Vikram Misri, the breakthrough was achieved through a direct phone call from Pakistan’s director general of military operations (DGMO) to his Indian counterpart. Indian officials stressed that the ceasefire was purely a military agreement, with no commitment to broader diplomatic negotiations. A follow-up DGMO-level meeting is scheduled for 12 May 2025.

The truce follows a dangerous wave of cross-border attacks, including missile strikes and drone incursions, which brought the two countries alarmingly close to open war. Analysts have called it the most serious confrontation since the Balakot air strikes in 2019.

The role of the United States in brokering the ceasefire has become a point of contention. president Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that the ceasefire resulted from "a long night of talks mediated by the United States." Secretary of state Marco Rubio and vice-president JD Vance echoed this, asserting that Washington worked closely with leaders in New Delhi and Islamabad to de-escalate tensions and initiate broader discussions at a neutral location.

However, Indian officials rejected that narrative. foreign secretary Mr Misri reaffirmed that the agreement was reached directly between the two militaries. A senior Indian official told CNN the ceasefire was finalised exclusively through DGMO-level contact, initiated by Pakistan.

A Pakistani official, speaking anonymously, credited the US especially Mr Rubio with playing a 'monumental role,' and acknowledged behind-the-scenes efforts by Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

In reality, analysts suggest a hybrid scenario the ceasefire was directly arranged through military channels, but international pressure from the United States, Gulf nations and possibly China helped make the talks possible.

However, the question of who first sought peace is politically sensitive in both countries. According to Indian officials, it was Pakistan’s DGMO who made the initial call proposing a ceasefire. This claim has been backed by India’s ministry of external affairs and verified accounts on social media.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has avoided confirming that it initiated the ceasefire, describing the move instead as a 'mutual agreement,' in line with its public stance of seeking peace without compromising sovereignty.

Based on available evidence—including official Indian statements—Pakistan likely initiated the ceasefire due to battlefield setbacks and mounting economic pressures.

The 10 May ceasefire is an important step back from the edge—but it is not a peace agreement. With deep-rooted tensions over Kashmir, terrorism and strategic rivalry long-term peace will require more than just military silence.

Both nations have declared victory in their own way. India by demonstrating military strength and Pakistan by halting further damage. As the DGMO-level talks resume on 12th May, the international community will be watching closely. Whether this fragile truce holds will depend not only on military discipline but on political will and sustained diplomacy.

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