What the world thinks of India-Pak ceasefire

India and Pakistan, which were locked in a war-like confrontation for three days, announced a surprise understanding to cease fire. How did the global media read the ceasefire and what did it say? This analysis gives us an understanding of the minds of the US, China and the Middle East.

On May 10, around 5 PM IST, US President Donald Trump abruptly announced a ceasefire between India and Pakistan—before either government made it public. The declaration came after four days of relentless missile and drone strikes, catching much of the world off guard. That the announcement came from Trump, and not from New Delhi or Islamabad, only deepened the global media’s scramble to interpret what had happened and who had brokered what.

India, notably, refrained from using the word "ceasefire" when referring to the understanding reached with Pakistan.

"Operation Sindoor is not over. We are in a new normal. That is why we are using the words ‘understanding’ and ‘stoppage of fire.’ The ceasefire has been repeatedly violated by Pakistan," government sources said.

But here's how the international media—from the US, China, and the Middle East—reported on the ceasefire and the events that followed.

WHAT THE AMERICAN MEDIA SAYS

The US media were quick to frame the announcement as a direct intervention by the US under Trump.

The Washington Post headlined, "Trump heralds Pakistan, India deal," while also noting that both countries “already claim violations of fragile truce.”

The Post highlighted the sudden nature of the truce’s announcement by President Trump: "Then, seemingly out of nowhere, President Donald Trump announced a truce."

It also reported that Vice President JD Vance had called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, offering a carefully crafted off-ramp—one the US believed Pakistan would accept—as tensions threatened to spiral out of control.

The New York Times described it as an “uneasy truce between India and Pakistan,” observing that the escalations had brought “old enemies to the brink of outright war.”

The paper also reported that “cross-border” firing continued even after the ceasefire, raising questions about the truce’s effectiveness. It further noted that “Reluctant at First, Trump officials intervened in South Asia as nuclear fear grew.”

HERE'S HOW THE CHINESE MEDIA RESPONDED

The South China Morning Post, ran the headline: "India and Pakistan agree to ceasefire after weeks of deadly clashes."

"India and Pakistan on Saturday agreed to a ceasefire following US-led talks to end the most serious military confrontation between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades. The ceasefire deal follows weeks of clashes, missile and drone strikes across their borders that were triggered by a gun massacre of tourists last month that India blames on Pakistan, which denies the charge," wrote SCMP.

"Dozens of civilians have been killed on both sides," it mentioned.

The Government of India has stated how it has only attacked terrorists and steered clear of attacking any civilians in Pakistan.

"The first word of the truce came from US President Donald Trump, who posted on social media that he was pleased to announce that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire," the report also mentioned.

Meanwhile, Global Times focused on Pakistan’s diplomatic acknowledgements, reporting that the Pakistani Prime Minister thanked China, the US, and Saudi Arabia after the ceasefire was agreed with India—giving a special mention to China.

The Prime Minister described China as a “very dear, very trustworthy and very dear friend,” adding, “I want to extend my gratitude and I have to mention them, from the bottom of my heart, 78 years of history of Pakistan, they have always been there in the times when Pakistan needed them and they have never even acknowledged the loss or profit.”

MIDDLE EASTERN MEDIA RESPONDS TO INDIA-PAK CEASEFIRE

Al Jazeera headlined it "Explosions in Kashmir after ceasefire agreed".

"Explosions in Kashmir after ceasefire agreed." It noted that while US President Trump announced the ceasefire, which was later confirmed by both India and Pakistan, projectiles were reported flying over Srinagar in Kashmir and Pakistani airspace.

India accused Pakistan of "repeated violations," which Pakistani officials swiftly denied. Despite the tensions, both sides indicated they would, for now, hold to the ceasefire—although India warned it would "deal strongly" with any violations.

The Arab News also focused on the instability following the agreement, headlining: "India and Pakistan ceasefire shaken by overnight border fighting in disputed Kashmir region."

It reported that as part of the ceasefire, the nuclear-armed neighbours had agreed to immediately stop all firing and military action on land, in the air, and at sea. However, both sides accused each other of violating the deal just hours later. Drones were reportedly spotted over Kashmir and the western state of Gujarat, the Arab news cited Indian officials as saying.

In Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Neelum Valley—just three kilometres from the Line of Control—residents stated exchanges of fire and heavy shelling after the ceasefire began, it reported.