A ceasefire between India and Pakistan, reached on May 10 following a significant military escalation, has no expiry date, officials from both countries have confirmed. This announcement dispels rumors of a Sunday deadline for renewal. The truce, brokered with significant US and Saudi Arabian involvement, followed days of intense cross-border shelling, drone incursions, and air strikes.
While Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar initially mentioned a May 18 extension agreed upon by the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs), officials clarified that the ceasefire continues indefinitely. An Indian official stated that the May 12th DGMO interaction reaffirmed the ceasefire’s open-ended nature. Dawn reported that a Pakistani diplomat echoed this, emphasizing that the DGMO discussions aimed at making the ceasefire sustainable.
Despite initial ceasefire violations, military commanders from both sides have engaged in constructive dialogue, focusing on de-escalation and confidence-building measures, including a phased reduction of troops along the border.
However, differing perspectives on the ceasefire’s long-term implications remain. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi characterized it as a temporary pause, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh indicated that military operations against Pakistan were not concluded. In contrast, Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, expressed confidence in the ceasefire’s durability and highlighted ongoing communication and confidence-building measures between the two sides. He emphasized that any response to ceasefire violations would be targeted and would not involve civilian or civilian infrastructure.
The situation remains tense, with Pakistan warning of severe consequences should India act on threats to curtail Pakistan’s share of Indus River water, following New Delhi’s unilateral suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. The Pakistani military spokesperson stated that India’s policy on Kashmir is not working and that the potential for conflict persists until a dialogue on the Kashmir dispute is initiated.
