India and Pakistan agree to ceasefire, then resume fight
The deal was aimed at halting a flareup that killed dozens and pushed the nuclear-armed neighbors to the brink of war.
Updated
May 10, 2025 at 6:12 p.m. EDTtoday at 6:12 p.m. EDT
By Niha Masih, Rick Noack, Karishma Mehrotra, Shams Irfan and Maham Javaid
NEW DELHI — India and Pakistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire on Saturday, halting days of clashes that killed dozens of people and pushed the nuclear-armed neighbors to the brink of war.
But India soon accused Pakistan of breaking the truce — Pakistan denied it — and fire reportedly resumed across the Line of Control that divides the contested territory of Kashmir.
Omar Abdullah, chief minister of Indian-administered Kashmir, posted a video of a night sky, tracer fire and the sounds of artillery. “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire?” he asked. “Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!”
Indian media reported shelling at the Line of Control. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters Saturday night that Pakistan had already violated the ceasefire repeatedly and that Indian armed forces were “giving an adequate and appropriate response.” Pakistani information minister Attaullah Tarar, speaking to local media, called the accusation “baseless.”
The truce was announced earlier Saturday by Donald Trump, who said it was the result of a “long night of talks” mediated by the United States.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the agreement shortly after in a post on X. Misri told reporters that the director general of military operations of Pakistan called his counterpart in India and that they agreed they would “stop all firing and military action” on land, air and sea at 5 p.m.
Neither official mentioned Trump, other administration officials or the U.S. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif eventually thanked Trump along with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, China, Britain and the United Nations.
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On Friday, leaders from the Group of Seven nations called on the nations to exercise “maximum restraint,” and immediately de-escalate tensions and speak directly. Leaders from Saudi Arabia and Iran visited India and Pakistan to try to mediate.
The Trump administration gave mixed signals about its desire to get involved. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on Thursday that the U.S. encouraged de-escalation but was “not going to get involved in the middle of a war that’s fundamentally none of our business.”
On Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed a central U.S. role in brokering the deal. Over the previous 48 hours, Rubio posted on X, he and Vance held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sharif and other senior officials.
The nations agreed to an immediate ceasefire and are starting broader talks at a neutral location, he wrote. “We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace.”
“Great work from the President’s team, especially Secretary Rubio,” Vance added.
The response from India was more measured.
“There is no decision to hold talks on any other issue at any other place,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said.
It said the discussions over the ceasefire were initiated by Pakistan.
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said the countries “worked out an understanding” to stop the hostilities but also took an apparent swipe at Pakistan: India, he said, maintains an “uncompromising stance against terrorism.”
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Noack reported from Dubai, Irfan from Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir and Javaid from Washington.