Congress leader Kapil Sibal backs India-Pakistan truce but urges Pakistan to act decisively against terror infrastructure; India reaffirms zero tolerance on terrorism as global leaders push for sustained dialogue.
New Delhi, May 11:
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan announced on Saturday, but warned that real peace will only come when terrorism is eradicated from the region. He stressed that as long as terror camps operate on Pakistani soil, any understanding between the two nations will be short-lived.
“We welcome this ceasefire because it is always the common people, the soldiers, the innocents — children, elderly, and women — who pay the price and lose their lives,” Sibal said while speaking to reporters in New Delhi.
Referring to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed 26 lives including those of civilians and a Nepali national, Sibal added, “Pakistan must contemplate the reason for this escalation. This isn’t a one-off incident — such activities have continued for decades. As long as they allow terror to flourish, peace will remain elusive.”
He further stated, “They must stop this and make sure these terrorist camps are done away with, and that they don’t become the hotbed of terrorism in this country. A temporary ceasefire will never be permanent until terrorism ends.”
India Reaffirms Anti-Terror Stance
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar echoed this sentiment in his remarks on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, saying, “India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on the stoppage of firing and military action. India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so.”
The agreement came after Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both countries held emergency discussions on Saturday afternoon, initiated by Pakistan’s DGMO. According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the call was made at 3:35 PM IST, and both sides agreed to halt all land, air, and sea military actions from 5 PM IST.
“The Directors General of Military Operations will talk again on the 12th of May at 1200 hours,” Misri added, confirming that India would closely monitor Pakistan’s implementation of the ceasefire.
Global Diplomacy Steps In
The ceasefire was first publicly revealed by former US President Donald Trump via his platform, Truth Social. “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE,” he posted. Trump congratulated both countries for “using common sense and great intelligence.”
Current US Secretary of State Marco Rubio followed up with a detailed post, stating that both countries have also agreed to begin broad-based peace talks at a neutral location.
“Over the past 48 hours, VP Vance and I have engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif… I am pleased to announce that the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site,” Rubio said.
Pakistan Confirms Truce, Blames India for Escalations
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also confirmed the ceasefire from Islamabad. “Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he posted on X.
However, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry simultaneously accused India of violating the truce hours after it came into effect, a claim New Delhi flatly rejected. Misri stated that India’s armed forces responded “adequately and appropriately” to any provocation.
Ceasefire Amid High Tensions
The truce follows India’s Operation Sindoor launched on May 7 in retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre. The Indian Army struck nine terror locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. In response, Pakistan escalated tensions using artillery, drones, and infiltration attempts — culminating in Saturday’s brief but intense cross-border exchanges.
India’s stand remains clear: lasting peace is possible only when terrorism ends. As Misri stated in an earlier briefing, “The armed forces have been given instructions to deal strongly with any instances of repetition of the violations along the International Border as well as the Line of Control.”