Fragile Ceasefire Between India and Pakistan Holds, Trump Signals Kashmir Mediation

A US-brokered ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, announced on May 10, has brought a tentative calm to the Line of Control (LoC) after four days of intense cross-border clashes that killed dozens, including 13 civilians in Pakistani Kashmir and a senior Indian bureaucrat in Jammu. The ceasefire, described as “full and immediate” by US President Donald Trump, followed the worst fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbors in decades, sparked by the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives.

The agreement came after high-level US diplomatic interventions, including a call from Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir on May 9, which analysts describe as a pivotal moment. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the ceasefire took effect at 5:00 PM IST on May 10, though minor violations were reported that evening, raising concerns about its fragility. On Sunday, the Indian military sent a hotline message to Pakistan, warning of a “fierce and punitive” response to further violations, while Pakistan’s military denied breaching the truce.

Trump has since pledged to “substantially increase trade” with both nations and work toward resolving the long-standing Kashmir dispute, a proposal that has stirred controversy in India, which considers Kashmir an internal matter. The Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both countries are set to hold talks at 12 noon today to reinforce the ceasefire, with residents along the LoC cautiously hopeful after spending nights in bunkers. In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared May 11 a day to honor the armed forces, with parades and celebrations near the border.

Social media reflects polarized sentiments. Posts on X from Pakistan claim a victory, with one user alleging India requested the ceasefire, while Indian commentators highlight the destruction of terror targets. The ceasefire has also prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to consider resuming the suspended 2025 IPL season. Despite the calm, experts warn that entrenched nationalism and the Kashmir issue could lead to future skirmishes, making sustained diplomacy critical.