Former Indian Defence Chief Questions US Claims on Ceasefire

General Anil Chauhan, former Chief of Defence Staff of India, has refuted claims made by former US President Donald Trump regarding the mediation of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Speaking at an event organised by the Vivekananda International Foundation in New Delhi, Chauhan made it clear that the ceasefire arrangement was directly negotiated between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two nations. He indicated that discussions occurred without the involvement of any third party, stating, “The ceasefire is decided between two DGMOs. And that's it. Means I don't see the role of anyone else.” Chauhan raised concerns about how information regarding the ceasefire reached the United States prior to official announcements from India. He questioned, “How did this particular information get leaked out to the Americans that they tweeted before we could announce this? Again, I'm really not sure, but it didn't leak out from us.” The suggestion was made that the information might have come from the Pakistani side rather than India. Since the ceasefire's announcement, Trump has consistently claimed to have played a key role in the negotiations, suggesting that it followed a lengthy period of talks. He described the situation as involving significant diplomatic pressure from the US, including threats related to tariffs. On May 10, 2025, Trump had proclaimed on social media that both nations had agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire.” However, India has consistently objected to any implication of US mediation, emphasising that the understanding was achieved solely through communications between the two DGMOs. The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that the specifics of the ceasefire were finalised during discussions at the DGMO level. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed this sentiment in Parliament in July 2025, asserting that there was no involvement from any global leader in halting military actions. Meanwhile, the Pakistani Government has acknowledged Trump's involvement, citing a “constructive role” from the US in facilitating the ceasefire. Operation Sindoor was initiated by India on May 7, 2025, in response to a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in significant military exchanges between the two countries. The hostilities escalated within days, with both sides executing various counteractions. The ceasefire was established only after Pakistan's DGMO contacted his Indian counterpart, leading to mutual agreement on halting military operations.