NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD - India and Pakistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire on May 10, 2025, halting the worst fighting in decades between the nuclear-armed neighbors [3]. The truce comes after four days of strikes and counter-strikes against each other's military installations, raising global concerns about escalating tensions in South Asia [5].

U.S. President Donald Trump was the first to announce the ceasefire, claiming credit for mediating the agreement [1]. However, contradictory accounts have emerged about the extent of U.S. involvement [3]. Reports suggest that U.S. Vice President JD Vance called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to encourage ceasefire talks after receiving 'alarming intelligence' about the conflict [6].

Despite the ceasefire announcement, both countries have accused each other of violations within hours of the agreement [6]. The Pakistan Army reportedly sent a swarm of attack drones across the border to launch fresh attacks on India, even as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the U.S. for the ceasefire [2].

The incident has raised questions about the internal dynamics of Pakistan's leadership. Historically, there have been tensions between Pakistan's civilian governments and its military [2]. An analyst from CNN reported, 'Pakistan's attack put India on the back-foot, such that it didn't know what had happened,' suggesting that the military action may have been taken without full civilian oversight [5].

In a new development, President Trump has offered to mediate on the long-standing Kashmir dispute. He stated on his social media platform, Truth Social, 'I will work with you both to see if, after a 'thousand years,' a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir' [4]. While Pakistan has welcomed this offer, India has remained silent on the proposal [1].

India has consistently opposed third-party mediation on Kashmir, viewing it as a bilateral matter under the 1972 Shimla Agreement [1]. The Kashmir region, claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but controlled in parts by each, has been a flashpoint between the two countries since their independence in 1947.

As the situation remains fluid, the international community watches closely. The sustainability of the ceasefire and the potential for renewed dialogue on Kashmir will likely depend on both countries' adherence to the agreement and their willingness to engage in diplomatic negotiations.