Pune, May 11 (UNI) NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar on Sunday welcomed announcement of ceasefire between India and Pakistan, saying both the countries have shown their readiness for a ceasefire after US President Donald Trump acted as a mediator.

"The conflict between India and Pakistan had been escalating for the past two days. Pakistan was attacking military and civilian targets in India at night and India was retaliating. Finally, it was announced that the conflict has stopped with the mediation of the US," he said while reacting to news of India-Pakistan ceasefire in a tweet.

He further said that India had never supported terrorism. Through Operation Sindoor, India only took strong action on terrorist camps, as there was no intention to attack any Pakistani military bases or civilians, he pointed.

This action was mandatory for the security of the country, he maintained.

Pawar cautioned that it is India's responsibility to respond calmly and decisively to the constant provocations from Pakistan and said that India has done so with the awareness of world peace.

"India has always been a supporter of peace and dialogue. And if there are any developments in that direction, it is welcome," he asserted.

However, it is also the collective duty of the international community to take strong steps against terrorism, the former Defence minister suggested and noted that every step taken towards peace increases the strength of the collective fight against terrorism.

UNI SP SS