India and Pakistan have agreed to pull back troops to their peacetime positions by the end of May, easing fears of broader conflict following a deadly terror attack and subsequent cross-border hostilities.
At a Glance
- India and Pakistan to complete troop withdrawal to pre-conflict positions by May 30
- Ceasefire followed a four-day conflict sparked by a terror attack in Kashmir
- Modi warns Indian strikes are only “paused,” not ended
- Trump claims credit for brokering ceasefire, but India insists talks were bilateral
- Iconic Wagah border ceremony to resume as confidence-building measure
Ceasefire Secures a Temporary Calm
Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors appear to be cooling after an agreement was reached to withdraw forces mobilized along the Line of Control in Kashmir. According to military officials from both sides, the phased pullback will be completed by May 30. The move comes just two weeks after a terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 people—mostly Indian tourists—prompting swift Indian retaliation.
The U.S. helped mediate a ceasefire on May 10, which has largely held. While President Trump touted the agreement as a diplomatic win, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that the ceasefire was achieved through direct talks between New Delhi and Islamabad, adding that “the Pakistani army reached out first.”
Watch a report: India and Pakistan to withdraw troops, resume border ceremony.
Political Calculations and Strategic Ambiguity
Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck a cautious tone following the announcement. In remarks to parliament, he warned that Indian operations against Pakistan were “paused, not ended,” and reiterated that future talks with Islamabad would center only on terrorism and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
This hardline stance reflects domestic political realities, as Modi’s government faces pressure to remain uncompromising in the face of cross-border militancy. Nonetheless, military sources have confirmed that Indian deployments are being scaled down in accordance with the agreement.
Border Symbolism and Diplomatic Signals
As a symbolic gesture of easing tensions, the iconic Wagah border ceremony is set to resume public attendance later this week. Indian officials confirmed the reopening, while Pakistan noted that it never formally suspended the ceremony.
Both sides have framed the troop pullback and ceremonial reopening as confidence-building measures. A Pakistani official told Geo News the agreement represents “a continuation of military de-escalation,” although broader reconciliation remains elusive.
As both countries navigate a fragile ceasefire, the road ahead remains uncertain—but for now, the guns are silent.
