Pakistan, India to hold talks at 'neutral venue' after ceasefire

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and committed to initiating talks on a wide range of issues at a neutral site, according to a announcement made by US official.

The development follows 48 hours of high-level engagement by US Vice President JD Vance and another senior American official, who met with top Indian and Pakistani leaders.

Those consulted were Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, and the National Security Advisors of both countries—Ajit Doval and Asim Malik.

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

Details regarding the location of the talks or the issues to be discussed have not yet been disclosed.

The ceasefire brings a temporary halt to days of heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, following a series of military strikes and counterstrikes across the Line of Control and beyond.

International observers have welcomed the development, calling for sustained dialogue and confidence-building measures to prevent further escalation.