Now we won't see the loss of lives of innocent people: Sibal on ceasefire

Reacting to the India-Pakistan ceasefire on Saturday, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said that it was a welcome move that would save lives of innocent people who have nothing to do with the war. He, however, warned that this ceasefire won't be permanent until Pakistan stops cross-border terrorism.

"I welcome the ceasefire and congratulate both sides. Now we won't see the loss of lives of innocent people who have nothing to do with the war," Sibal told ANI.

"They (Pakistan) must stop this and make sure that these terrorist camps are done away with and they don't become the hotbed of terrorism in this country and as long as that continues, this conflict will continue and a temporary ceasefire will never be permanent," the former Union minister added.

The US-brokered ceasefire came hours after India and Pakistan attacked each other’s military facilities, dangerously escalating the ongoing conflict.

“India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a social media post.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said India and Pakistan have agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire after a “long night” of talks mediated by Washington.

“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. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that over the past 48 hours, Vice President J D Vance and he engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, “including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, and National Security Advisors Ajit Doval and Asim Malik.”

“I am pleased to announce 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,” he said.

“We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace,” Rubio said.