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Türkiye on Saturday welcomed the declaration of a cease-fire between Pakistan and India, urging both nations to seize the opportunity to pursue direct and constructive dialogue.
"We call on the parties to make maximum use of the opportunity provided by the cease-fire to establish a direct and healthy dialogue," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry emphasized the need for mechanisms—particularly in counterterrorism—to prevent future escalations and ensure lasting stability in South Asia. It also expressed appreciation for the diplomatic efforts of countries that contributed to the cease-fire, singling out the United States.
The cease-fire announcement came after several days of intense cross-border conflict, culminating in a retaliatory Pakistani military operation on Saturday morning in response to Indian strikes on what New Delhi said were “terrorist” targets inside Pakistan.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that both countries had reached a “full and immediate” cease-fire. Soon after, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the agreement in separate statements.
Dar posted on X: “Pakistan and India have agreed to a cease-fire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
He also acknowledged the diplomatic efforts of Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and others, saying their foreign ministers played a “key role” in brokering the deal.
Indian Foreign Secretary Misri detailed the communication that led to the cease-fire: “The Director General of Military Operations of Pakistan called the Director General of Military Operations of India at 15:35 hours. It was agreed both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, in the air, and sea with effect from 17:00 hours Indian Standard Time.”
He added that both sides had issued orders to enforce the cease-fire and that the military leaderships would speak again on May 12.
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated New Delhi’s position, stating: “India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so.”
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Following the cease-fire announcement, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority reopened the country’s airspace for all flights.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised both sides for choosing diplomacy over conflict.
“India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on the stoppage of firing and military action,” Rubio wrote on X. “Over the past 48 hours, @VP Vance and I have engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Chief of Army Staff Gen. 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 cease-fire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site,” Rubio said.
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