India-Pakistan DGMO-level talks today at 12pm: What to expect?

India and Pakistan DGMOs are going to meet at 12 pm today, hoping to resuscitate the shaky ceasefire facilitated directly between the two countries during the weekend. This follows four days of raging cross-border action involving drone strikes, missile barrage, and intensified artillery battles on the Line of Control and international border.

Most notable highlights

The talks at the level of DGMO are strictly military de-escalation and the enforcement of the ceasefire. Both sides have clarified that there will be no discussion on larger political issues like Kashmir or sharing water. India has reaffirmed that all interaction with Pakistan will remain in the DGMO channel, with no other diplomatic or political talks planned or in progress.

The Saturday-held ceasefire, which was reached after a direct appeal by Pakistan's DGMO to his Indian counterpart, called for an instantaneous cease in all land, aerial, and naval military actions at 5 pm of the day. There were instantaneous reports of violations of the ceasefire, however, with drones identified and sounds of explosions heard over Jammu and Kashmir, leading to India responding with "adequate and appropriate" steps.

Operation Sindoor, India's latest military operation, saw more than 100 terrorists eliminated, including high-value targets responsible for past attacks like the IC-814 hijack and Pulwama. Indian raids also targeted and destroyed 11 Pakistani air bases and caused heavy casualties among Pakistani security forces.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has been steadfast in its stance that any subsequent act of terrorism coming out of Pakistan will be responded to as an act of war, and has done so thus far. Both Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have made it clear that the ceasefire doesn't reflect a wider easing in relations but is a tactical step to reduce current tensions.

Pakistan's government, headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has made public appeals for peaceful negotiations over long-standing issues, but Indian authorities have ruled out any talks beyond the military level at present.

Global powers, such as the US, have asserted their involvement in diplomatic efforts, but India and Pakistan have emphasized that the ceasefire was a bilateral agreement directly between the two countries, with no mediation.

The DGMO talks of the day are expected to deal exclusively with maintaining respect for the ceasefire, avoiding new violations, and normalizing the situation along the border. How things go is going to be closely observed since both sides remain alert and the region continues to live with the fallout of the recent escalation.

Sources: Hindustan Times, Firstpost, Economic Times, Business Today, Indian Express