Statements released by military officials of both nations confirmed on May 19 that their ceasefire agreement established on May 10 remains in effect without an expiration date, contrary to earlier reports suggesting it might end on May 18. (Sources include The Times of India, SSBCrackExams and Firstpost).
Indian Army officials stated on May 12 during a Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) interaction that any agreement on ceasefires reached during that interaction is open-ended and without expiry dates attached to it, according to Hindustan Times and economictimes reports. An Indian Army official clarified this point. (Thomson Times +9 and GeoTV +7).
Pakistani officials also confirmed that the ceasefire does not have an expiration date, hoping to dispel any false assumptions regarding its duration.
A ceasefire was initiated following an extended period of increased tensions, marked by cross-border exchanges and military operations on both sides. India launched Operation Sindoor following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, targeting militant infrastructure within Pakistan-administered territories.
The Indian Express +4
The Times of India +4
Concerns remain regarding the strength and integrity of the ceasefire agreement despite initial optimism. Both nations accused each other of violations immediately following its signing; however, things appear to have stabilised since. Whilst Australia’s violations were more frequent initially, their situation has since improved considerably. For more details see The Australianwikipedia (+2 for Australian Wikipedia page).
International actors such as the United States and United Kingdom have voiced support for and worked towards maintaining the ceasefire, working toward its longevity. UK Foreign Minister David Lammy recently stated that Britain along with U.S. efforts is providing dialogue facilitation services between India and Pakistan in an attempt to develop confidence-building measures between them (Reuters/+1 per Wikipedia).
Local leaders in the region have also called for sustained peace. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq of Hurriyat expressed hope that the ceasefire becomes permanent while emphasizing the importance of including Kashmiris voices into peace discussions.
As the ceasefire remains in place, both countries face the challenge of building trust and addressing any underlying issues to avoid future escalations. With its indefinite nature, however, this agreement provides an opportunity for continued dialogue as both nations strive to find lasting peace in the region.