ISLAMABAD: Fresh revelations from United States public filings have castnew light on the circumstances surrounding the May 10, 2025 ceasefirebetween India and Pakistan, raising questions about New Delhi’s consistentdenial of any external mediation in ending the brief but intense militaryconflict. A report based on Foreign Agent Registration Act disclosuresindicates that the Indian Embassy in Washington initiated contacts withsenior Trump administration officials on the very day the truce tookeffect, contradicting India’s repeated assertions that the agreement wasreached solely through direct bilateral military channels.
The four-day confrontation, triggered by a terrorist attack in Pahalgam onApril 22 that claimed 26 civilian lives, escalated rapidly into missilestrikes, drone engagements and airstrikes targeting military installationson both sides. India launched Operation Sindoor in response, while Pakistanmounted counter-operations, leading to widespread fears of furtherescalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Amid mountinginternational concern, US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire onsocial media, claiming American mediation had facilitated the “full andimmediate” halt to hostilities.
Despite this, Indian officials, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misriand External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, have maintained that no thirdparty, including the United States, played a role in brokering the truce.They emphasized that the cessation resulted from direct communicationbetween the Directors General of Military Operations, with Pakistanallegedly initiating the request for de-escalation following India’smilitary actions. This narrative positioned the outcome as a demonstrationof India’s resolve against alleged cross-border terrorism.
However, disclosures filed in December 2025 under the Foreign AgentRegistration Act reveal a different layer of engagement. The Indian Embassyreached out to at least three senior Trump officials on May 10, includingWhite House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, US Trade Representative JamiesonGreer and National Security Council staffer Ricky Gill. These contacts,arranged through a US lobby firm, focused on discussions related to “mediacoverage of the conflict”, according to the filings that documentedmultiple entries over the period.
The timing of these interactions coincides precisely with the announcementand implementation of the ceasefire, fueling speculation about whether theywere intended to manage international perceptions or coordinate messagingduring the sensitive hours of truce establishment. While the records do notspecify whether the calls occurred before or after the formal agreement,they highlight sustained diplomatic outreach by India to key figures in theTrump administration amid the crisis.
This development comes against the backdrop of repeated claims by PresidentTrump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the United States played apivotal role, with extensive engagements involving Prime Ministers NarendraModi and Shehbaz Sharif, as well as other senior officials. Pakistan hasgenerally acknowledged American facilitation, even nominating Trump for theNobel Peace Prize in recognition of his contributions to regional stability.
The contrast between India’s public stance and the documented contactsunderscores the complexities of diplomacy in high-stakes conflicts.Analysts note that engaging lobby firms and senior officials is a standardpractice for many countries to augment outreach in Washington, yet thespecific date and subject matter in this case invite closer scrutiny,especially given India’s firm rejection of external involvement inbilateral matters with Pakistan.
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The May conflict marked one of the most serious confrontations in decades,involving advanced weaponry and resulting in significant disruptions,including airport closures and civilian displacements. The sudden trucebrought relief but also immediate reports of alleged violations, withexplosions heard in Kashmir shortly after the agreement, highlighting thefragility of such arrangements without addressing underlying issues.
These revelations may prompt renewed debate over the true dynamics of theceasefire and the extent of covert coordination between major powers duringcrises. They also reflect evolving diplomatic strategies, where publicnarratives and private engagements sometimes diverge in the pursuit ofstrategic objectives.
Source:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-embassy-steps-up-engagement-via-trump-aides-firm-to-deal-with-trade-talks-operation-sindoor-and-bilateral-ties/article70477181.ece
Tags: India, Pakistan, United States, Trump Administration, OperationSindoor
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