India accuses Pakistan of breaking ceasefire in Kashmir

Euronews

10-05-2025

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer have started talks with Chinese officials, led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, in Geneva. The goal is to ease a trade dispute between the world's two largest economies, which could harm global markets.
Diplomats confirmed the talks had begun but did not disclose the location. However, a convoy of black cars was seen entering the residence of the Swiss ambassador to the UN. A diplomatic source speaking anonymously said the two sides met for two hours before going to a pre-arranged lunch.
Hopes for a major breakthrough are low, but both countries may agree to reduce the high tariffs they have imposed on each other's goods. Last month, US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Chinese products to 145%, and China retaliated with a 125% levy on American imports.
Before the talks, Trump suggested the US could lower tariffs, posting on social media, "80% Tariff seems right! Up to Scott."
Sun Yun, a China expert at the Stimson Centre, said this is the first direct meeting between Bessent and He Lifeng, but she doubts it will lead to significant outcomes.
Sun Yun noted 'The best scenario is for the two sides to agree to de-escalate on the ... tariffs at the same time,' she said, adding even a small reduction would send a positive signal. 'It cannot just be words.'
Since Trump's return to the White House, he has aggressively used tariffs as his favourite economic weapon. For example, almost every country in the world has been hit by a 10% tax on imports.
The trade dispute began in Trump's first term when the US alleged that China uses unfair methods to gain an advantage in advanced technologies. This included forcing US and foreign companies to share trade secrets, using government funds to support domestic firms, and stealing technology.
In 2020, the two countries signed a 'Phase One' agreement, where the US paused further tariff increases, and China agreed to buy more American goods. But China did not fully meet those purchase promises, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The US trade deficit with China reached €233 billion last year. Trump has used tariffs as a key trade tool, not only against China but also against other countries.
In Switzerland, Bessent and Greer also met Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter. Trump recently suspended a plan to impose a 31% tariff on Swiss goods, currently maintaining a 10% rate. Switzerland is worried about the impact on its key industries, including watches, coffee capsules, cheese, and chocolate.
The Swiss government said it is not planning to retaliate against US tariffs for now, noting that 99% of American goods can enter Switzerland duty-free following a tariff cut last year.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said late on Saturday that Pakistan had repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreement between the two countries.
'We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility,' he told a news conference in New Delhi.
Misri added that the Indian army was 'retaliating' against what he described as a 'border intrusion.'
Hours earlier Pakistan's foreign minister said that his country would consider de-escalation if India stopped any further attacks. He said Saudi Arabia and also Turkey played an important role in facilitating the ceasefire deal, which came into effect at 4.30 pm local time.
It has fully reopened its airspace for all types of flights.
Indian Wing Commander Vyomika Singh told a news conference in New Delhi that her country was committed to 'non-escalation, provided the Pakistan side reciprocates.'
On his Truth Social platform, US President Donald Trump said he was pleased to announce that India and Pakistan had 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!' read his post.
On Saturday, a Pakistani official said at least 11 people were killed and 56 others wounded in what he said was Indian shelling in several areas near the Line of Control in Kashmir.
The country's prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, said Pakistan had responded after India's overnight missile attacks at air bases and other places.
India denies hitting civilian targets.
Gunmen shot and killed at least 26 tourists at Pahalgam resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir on 22 April, which was a major shift in a regional conflict that has largely spared civilians. The unidentified gunmen also wounded 17 other people.
A group called Kashmir Resistance, which India accuses Pakistan of backing, claimed the attack.
The fresh round of confrontation was yet another escalation of a decades-long conflict over the disputed Kashmir region that began after a bloody partition of India in 1947.
The leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom arrived together at the train station in Kyiv, where they met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Shortly afterwards, they laid flowers at a makeshift flag memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers at Kyiv's Independence Square during a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The visit marked the first time the leaders of the four countries have travelled together to Ukraine, while Friedrich Merz is making his first visit to Ukraine as Germany's new chancellor.
Along with US President Donald Trump, the European leaders are pushing for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire to allow for peace talks on ending the conflict. In March, the United States proposed an immediate 30-day truce in the war, which Ukraine accepted, but the Kremlin has held out for ceasefire terms more to its liking.
'We reiterate our backing for President Trump's calls for a peace deal and call on Russia to stop obstructing efforts to secure an enduring peace,' the leaders said in a joint statement. 'Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree to a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace."
Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak wrote on his Telegram: 'There is a lot of work, a lot of topics to discuss. We need to end this war with a just peace. We need to force Moscow to agree to a ceasefire."
Later in the day, the leaders were expected to host a virtual meeting alongside Zelenskyy to update other leaders on the progress being made for a future so-called 'coalition of the willing' that would help Ukraine's armed forces after a peace deal and potentially deploy troops to Ukraine to police any future peace agreement with Russia.