UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the ceasefire announced by Pakistan and India on Saturday, describing it as a "positive step" that could pave the way for lasting peace, his spokesperson said.
The statement came after the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours agreed to a "full and immediate" ceasefire, following the intervention of US President Donald Trump after four days of heightened military exchanges.
Guterres “hopes the agreement will contribute to lasting peace and foster an environment conducive to addressing broader, longstanding issues between the two countries,” said his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric in a statement.
Read more: Pakistan and India agree to immediate ceasefire
Earlier, US President Donald Trump confirmed the ceasefire, stating that India and Pakistan had reached a “full and immediate” cessation of hostilities after days of military strikes.
“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. Congratulations to both countries on using common sense and great intelligence,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
The development was subsequently confirmed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Dar affirmed the ceasefire via social media, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability while underscoring the country’s resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated in a social media post, “India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on the stoppage of firing and military action.”
The confrontation, which began on the night of May 6–7, escalated rapidly and marked the most serious military conflict between the two neighbors, resulting in dozens of casualties.
Read more: Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos: Pakistan counters India’s Operation Sindhoor
Despite repeated warnings from the Pakistani government, India continued provocative actions, including multiple drone incursions, and attack on military bases which ultimately triggered a retaliatory military operation named ‘Bunyan-un-Marsoos’
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