India and Pakistan on Saturday confirmed a ceasefire deal after U.S.-led talks to end a conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals.

"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,

In recent years, India has grown closer to the United States and Pakistan to China, putting the two traditional south Asian foes at the heart of global superpower competition, writes Yvonne Murray.

India and Pakistan’s latest military conflict has expanded, days after India carried out airstrikes in Pakistan that followed an attack by gunmen on tourists in India-controlled Kashmir last month