Days after India’s successful strike on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) under Operation Sindoor, tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors appear to be cooling off, at least temporarily.
According to Pakistan’s Dawn, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that a ceasefire has been extended until May 18 through direct military-to-military communication. While the Indian government has yet to officially confirm this extension, the move marks a significant shift following days of retaliatory cross-border shelling and drone activity.
Pakistan Calls for Dialogue
Addressing Pakistan’s Senate, Dar emphasized the need for a “composite dialogue” with India, indicating Islamabad’s intent to reinitiate talks on all longstanding issues.
“We have told the world that we will hold a composite dialogue,” Dar said, while also implying that diplomatic engagement remains essential to resolving bilateral tensions.
India’s Firm Response: Talks Only on Terrorism and PoK
However, India remains steadfast in its position. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation after Operation Sindoor, clarified that any future engagement with Pakistan will be limited to two issues:
- Terrorism, and
- Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK).
“If there are talks with Pakistan, it will be only on terrorism and PoK,” PM Modi declared, sending a clear message to the international community about India’s red lines in diplomatic engagement.
A Warning to Pakistan
PM Modi also issued a stark warning, asserting that Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism could lead to its own downfall.
“The way the Pakistani army and the Pakistan government are encouraging terrorism, it will destroy Pakistan one day,” Modi said. “If Pakistan wants to survive, it will have to destroy its terror infrastructure. There is no other way to peace.”
The Backdrop: Pahalgam Attack and Operation Sindoor
The recent escalation follows the brutal Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed 26 lives and injured many more. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, striking multiple terrorist launchpads and infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK.
Over 100 terrorists linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) were eliminated. Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling and drone attacks, prompting India to launch precision counterstrikes, damaging radar systems, airfields, and communication nodes.
By May 10, both countries agreed to a temporary cessation of hostilities, although tensions remain high and India has made it clear that its anti-terrorism posture will remain uncompromising.