In a dramatic turn of events, tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan have cooled after a U.S.-mediated ceasefire, with former U.S. President Donald Trump taking center stage in brokering the breakthrough.
Trump, writing on his social platform Truth Social, praised both countries for stepping back from the edge of full-blown war. “I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision,” he wrote, calling the ceasefire a win for “Common Sense and Great Intelligence.”
The truce follows a dangerous escalation marked by missile strikes from both sides, resulting in heavy losses and damage to critical military infrastructure. The situation had reached a boiling point before last-minute diplomatic backchannel efforts—led by Washington—helped diffuse the crisis.
As part of its retaliation, Pakistan had earlier launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsus, a powerful counterstrike targeting major Indian military assets. Using ‘Fatah 2’ missiles, the Pakistan military reportedly hit Indian missile depots in Beas and multiple airbases including Udhampur, Adampur, Suratgarh, Sirsa, Bathinda, Akhnoor, Halwara, and Pathankot.
Security officials in Islamabad confirmed that the offensive was aimed specifically at military installations from where Indian missiles had originated. The precision strikes reportedly neutralized several strategic targets, causing significant damage to India’s defense capabilities.
Trump pledges economic support & Kashmir mediation
Beyond de-escalation, Trump made it clear that his involvement wouldn't stop at ceasefire diplomacy. He pledged to substantially increase U.S. trade with both India and Pakistan, promising a fresh economic lifeline for both nations. “I am going to increase trade, substantially, with both of these great Nations,” Trump declared.
In a bold statement that immediately grabbed attention, Trump also addressed the Kashmir conflict, calling for a long-term resolution. “After a ‘thousand years,’ a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir,” he wrote, indicating his intent to mediate the decades-long dispute.
While his comment may have had a rhetorical tone, it was welcomed in Islamabad, which has long sought international involvement in resolving the Kashmir issue peacefully. Trump’s statement has effectively brought the matter back into the global spotlight, giving Pakistan diplomatic ground to push for a peaceful solution.
So far, there’s been no official confirmation from either New Delhi or Islamabad on the exact terms of the ceasefire. However, sources from Washington and Islamabad confirmed that the U.S. played a pivotal role in facilitating dialogue, even as the missiles were flying.
The developments mark a rare moment of positive diplomacy in a region where border skirmishes and hostility have been all too common. With the U.S. stepping in as both mediator and economic partner, this ceasefire could pave the way for deeper cooperation—if the fragile peace holds.
For now, the world watches closely as India and Pakistan return from the brink, hoping this moment of calm turns into a lasting resolution—and not just a pause before the next storm.
