(Commonwealth India) India has firmly conveyed that the ceasefire agreement initiated on May 10 is not unconditional. The continuation of peace along the Line of Control and other sensitive fronts now hinges entirely on Pakistan‘s actions going forward. While the initial decision to halt hostilities was mutual, Indian authorities have repeatedly underscored that progress, particularly in terms of confidence-building measures (CBMs), will depend on the absence of any provocative conduct from the Pakistani side.
Responding to recent speculation, the Indian Army stated on Sunday, clarifying that the ceasefire understanding reached with Pakistan has no time limit. This came amid reports from Islamabad suggesting that the agreement was extended only until May 18. India rejected this characterization, stating that during the interaction between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) on May 12, both sides had agreed to a ceasefire without any expiry date. The army emphasized that the truce is intended to be sustained as long as both parties respect its core terms — namely, the complete cessation of hostilities and aggressive posturing. Additionally, the Indian Army noted that there were no further DGMO-level talks scheduled for the immediate future.
The ceasefire was a major development following a volatile stretch of armed escalation between the two countries that nearly spiraled into open conflict. The crisis was triggered by the May 6 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian civilians. In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, targeting multiple terror training facilities located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation, which relied heavily on coordinated drone strikes and high-precision aerial bombardments, was reported to have resulted in over 100 terrorist casualties.
Between May 7 and May 10, the situation deteriorated rapidly, with both countries engaging in a barrage of strikes and counter-strikes involving fighter jets, missiles, drones, and heavy artillery. A particularly intense episode occurred on the night of May 9-10, when the Indian Air Force struck 13 strategic military assets within Pakistan. These events sparked global alarm, with several nations urging restraint and warning against further escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
A diplomatic breakthrough finally emerged on May 10, when the DGMOs of India and Pakistan — Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai and Major General Kashif Abdullah — communicated over a military hotline. The two sides reached an agreement to halt all military activity — over land, air, and sea — with immediate effect. This decision brought an end to the cross-border violence and set the stage for renewed dialogue.
The truce was reaffirmed during another DGMO-level conversation on May 12. This interaction focused on solidifying a set of CBMs to reinforce the ceasefire. These included a strict no-engagement clause, under which neither military would initiate any firing or hostile action. Additionally, both sides discussed the possibility of reducing forward troop deployments to ease tensions and bring down alert levels along the border.
Despite this progress, there have been early signs of strain. Indian security agencies reported sightings of drones over Indian airspace on the nights of May 10 and May 12. These incursions, allegedly originating from Pakistan, were not accompanied by direct attacks but raised serious concerns about the sincerity of Pakistan’s commitment to the ceasefire.
On May 15, India cautiously moved ahead with its plan to implement CBMs along the border, signaling a tentative willingness to de-escalate further. This development, however, was clouded by a statement from Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who claimed that the ceasefire had only been extended until May 18. Indian officials dismissed this assertion, reiterating that the agreement had no expiration date and would remain in place so long as both sides adhered to its principles.
India’s conditional stance was reinforced by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on May 16 during his visit to the Bhuj airbase. In a pointed message, he stated that Pakistan was under close watch and effectively “on probation.” Singh warned that any future provocations would invite a strong and immediate response. He further described Operation Sindoor as merely a “trailer” of India’s military capabilities, indicating that New Delhi was prepared to take far more decisive action if compelled. Singh stressed that eliminating terrorism is now a non-negotiable component of India’s security policy and that the country would no longer tolerate cross-border terror networks operating with impunity.
since May 10, the underlying tension between the two countries remains palpable. India has taken a firm but measured approach, coupling restraint with clear red lines. The onus, Indian officials argue, is now on Pakistan to match words with action and demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace. Only through consistent, good-faith conduct can the fragile ceasefire evolve into a longer-term resolution. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this rare pause in hostilities marks a turning point or just another fleeting truce in a historically volatile relationship.
