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World Reacts after India, Pakistan Agree to Stop Firing

A Kashmiri woman row her wooden boat on Dal Lake in Srinagar, in Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, May 10, 2025.(AP)
A Kashmiri woman row her wooden boat on Dal Lake in Srinagar, in Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, May 10, 2025.(AP)
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World Reacts after India, Pakistan Agree to Stop Firing

A Kashmiri woman row her wooden boat on Dal Lake in Srinagar, in Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, May 10, 2025.(AP)
A Kashmiri woman row her wooden boat on Dal Lake in Srinagar, in Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, May 10, 2025.(AP)

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that India and Pakistan had agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" after a fourth day of strikes and counter-strikes against each other's military installations.

This is what global leaders have said about the latest development between the nuclear-armed neighbors:

US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

"After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both countries on using common sense and great intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

US SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO

"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. We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace."

BANGLADESH'S INTERIM LEADER MUHAMMAD YUNUS

"I most sincerely commend Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of India and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan for agreeing to a ceasefire with immediate effect and to engage in talks. Bangladesh will continue to support our two neighbors to resolve differences through diplomacy."

EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF KAJA KALLAS

"The announced ceasefire between India and Pakistan is a vital step toward de-escalation. All efforts must be made to ensure it is respected. The EU remains committed to peace, stability, and counter-terrorism in the region."

BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER DAVID LAMMY

"Today's ceasefire between India and Pakistan is hugely welcome. I urge both parties to sustain this. De-escalation is in everybody's interest."

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Afghans Both Hopeful, Disappointed after Russia's Taliban Recognition

A man talks by a phone while standing on a balcony of the Afghan Embassy in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 4, 2025, after Russia recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
A man talks by a phone while standing on a balcony of the Afghan Embassy in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 4, 2025, after Russia recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
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Afghans Both Hopeful, Disappointed after Russia's Taliban Recognition

A man talks by a phone while standing on a balcony of the Afghan Embassy in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 4, 2025, after Russia recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)
A man talks by a phone while standing on a balcony of the Afghan Embassy in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 4, 2025, after Russia recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)

Russia's decision to formally recognize the Taliban government has been seen as an opening for a stronger economy by some Afghans, while others were skeptical that it would improve their lot.

Russia became the first country to acknowledge the Taliban authorities on Thursday, after a gradual building of ties that included removing their "terrorist organization" designation and accepting an ambassador in recent months.

The Taliban authorities had not been recognized by any state in the nearly four years since sweeping to power in 2021, ousting the foreign-backed government as US-led troops withdrew after a two-decade war.

Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world and in a fragile recovery from four decades of conflict.

"With the current situation in Afghanistan, with all the challenges, everyone is worried. If the world recognizes Afghanistan, we will be happy, currently, even the tiniest thing matters," Gul Mohammad, 58, said on Friday in the capital Kabul.

Despite having bitter memories of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, when he "lost everything" and became a refugee in Pakistan, he acknowledges that "the priorities are different now".

Jamaluddin Sayar, 67, predicted that "trade and economic prosperity will now blossom".

The retired pilot said other countries, "both western and eastern", should recognize the government and "stop spreading propaganda".

- Won't 'lead to anything' -

Russian and Afghan officials praised the move as an opening for deeper cooperation, notably in economic and security arenas.

Security concerns have been a key avenue for coordination between the Taliban authorities and the international community, amid fears Afghanistan would become fertile ground for increased militant activity.

The authorities have prioritized security and made repeated assurances that Afghan soil would not be used by any group to plan attacks on other nations.

However, Pakistan's ties with the Taliban authorities have been strained over a surge in militant activity since their takeover and last year, an attack claimed by the ISIS group's branch in Afghanistan killed 137 people in a Moscow concert hall.

In a country where dissent and protest is tightly controlled, some Kabul residents were afraid to openly criticize the Taliban authorities.

Atef, not his real name, was unconvinced better relations between Afghanistan and Russia would improve the livelihoods of ordinary Afghans.

"I think Afghanistan will fall into the traps of the Russians again, the issues and challenges will increase, and there is nothing that can help ordinary people," the unemployed 25-year-old said.

"People are struggling, and they will still struggle with or without the recognition."

For Afghan women's rights activists, particularly those who have advocated for isolating the Taliban government, the recognition was seen as a setback that "legitimizes" restrictions on women.

The Taliban authorities, who also ruled the country between 1996 and 2001, have again imposed an austere version of their own interpretation of Islamic law.

Norway-based Afghan women's rights activist Hoda Khamosh was defiant against the impact of the Russian move.

"Human rights organizations right now are trying to recognize gender apartheid in Afghanistan because the Taliban are a repressive regime against women," she said.

"Therefore, these recognitions will not lead to anything."