Ceasefire holds, no DGMO talks today: Indian Army clarifies amid media speculation
Jammu: The Indian Army on Sunday dismissed reports of a scheduled DGMO-level meeting with Pakistan, confirming that no such talks are planned and that the ceasefire agreement between the two countries remains in effect without an expiry date.
A statement issued by the Defence Ministry addressed growing media speculation and public queries regarding the status of the ceasefire and the possibility of renewed hostilities. “No DGMO talks are scheduled today. Regarding the continuation of the break in hostilities, as decided during the DGMO interaction on May 12, there is no expiry date,” the statement read.
The ceasefire, agreed upon in the May 12 DGMO-level interaction, marked a significant de-escalation in tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB). However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated that trade relations with Pakistan and the Indus Water Treaty will remain suspended despite the ceasefire.
During recent visits to military installations, including the 15 Corps headquarters in Badami Bagh, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Indian Air Force base in Bhuj, Gujarat, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored that the ceasefire will be upheld only if Pakistan ceases support for terrorism. “India has placed Pakistan on probation. Any hostile act will receive a firm and appropriate response,” Singh warned.
Meanwhile, the Indian security establishment—comprising the army, police, and intelligence agencies—continues to maintain high alert levels nationwide. Forces are closely monitoring suspected terrorist operatives, overground workers (OGWs), and sympathizers.
Despite the ceasefire, border residents in Jammu and Kashmir continue to bear the brunt of earlier hostilities. Heavy mortar shelling by the Pakistan Army in recent weeks forced hundreds to flee their homes, particularly in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, and Kupwara districts. Over 200 homes and commercial establishments were reportedly damaged or destroyed.
Now, cautiously hopeful for stability, many displaced families have started returning to their villages to resume agricultural and pastoral activities.
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Cong takes swipe at PM over India not being part of US-led 'Pax Silica' grouping
New Delh (PTI) The Congress on Saturday said it is perhaps not very surprising that India is not part of a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure silicon supply chain, given the "sharp downturn" in the Trump-Modi ties, and asserted that it would have been to "our advantage if we had been part of this group".
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the news of India not being part of the group comes after the PM had enthusiastically posted on social media about a telephone call with his "once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC".
In a lengthy post on X, Ramesh said, "According to some news reports, the US has excluded India from a nine-nation initiative it has launched to reduce Chinese control on high-tech supply chains. The agreement is called Pax Silica, clearly as a counter to Pax Sinica. The nations included (for the moment at least) are the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia."
"Given the sharp downturn in the Trump-Modi ties since May 10th, 2025, it is perhaps not very surprising that India has not been included. Undoubtedly, it would have been to our advantage if we had been part of this group."
"This news comes a day after the PM had enthusiastically posted on his telephone call with his once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC," the Congress leader asserted.
The new US-led strategic initiative, rooted in deep cooperation with trusted allies, has been launched to build a secure and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.
According to the US State Department, the initiative called 'Pax Silica' aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale.
The initiative includes Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. With the exception of India, all other QUAD countries -- Japan, Australia and the US -- are part of the new initiative.
New Delhi will host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19-20, focusing on the principles of 'People, Planet, and Progress'. The summit, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump on Thursday discussed ways to sustain momentum in the bilateral economic partnership in a phone conversation amid signs of the two sides inching closer to firming up a much-awaited trade deal.
The phone call between the two leaders came on a day Indian and American negotiators concluded two-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement that is expected to provide relief to India from the Trump administration's whopping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.
In a social media post, Modi had described the conversation as "warm and engaging".
"We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity," Modi had said without making any reference to trade ties.
