Victory of Indian armed forces, diplomacy: Experts on Indo-Pak understanding to halt military actions

As India and Pakistan reached an understanding to halt all military actions, defence experts termed it a “victory of the Indian armed forces” and hoped Pakistan “will not open another chapter” after the agreement.

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NEW DELHI: As India and Pakistan reached an understanding to halt all military actions, defence experts termed it a “victory of the Indian armed forces” and hoped Pakistan “will not open another chapter” after the agreement.

India and Pakistan on Saturday reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes that brought the two countries teetering on the edge of a full-scale war.

Making the announcement, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the director generals of military operations of India and Pakistan agreed on the understanding during a call on Saturday afternoon, and the next talks are scheduled at 12 noon on May 12.

The announcement came shortly after US President Donald Trump in a surprise social media post claimed that the talks between the two sides were “mediated” by the US. Strategic Affairs expert Maj Gen P K Sehgal (retd) called the understanding to halt military actions a “very good beginning” for both the nations, as both countries suffered as a result of the escalating tensions. “As far as Pakistan is concerned we have broken the back of terrorism. India showed that there is a very strong and decisive leadership in place.