Washington: Over the past 48 hours, Vice President 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 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 ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site. According to EMM, the announcement marks a significant step towards peace in the region, with both nations agreeing to halt hostilities and engage in dialogue. The decision to move forward with discussions at a neutral location highlights the commitment of both countries to work towards resolving longstanding issues. The involvement of high-level officials from both sides indicates the seriousness of this diplomatic effort. The announcement has been met with international approval, as many countries have long advocated for peacefu l negotiations between India and Pakistan. The decision to cease hostilities is seen as a positive development, potentially paving the way for a more stable and cooperative relationship between the two neighbors.