India Denies US Role in May Ceasefire With Pakistan, Reaffirms No Third-Party Mediation on Kashmir

NEW DELHI: The Government of India has categorically denied reports suggesting that the May 2025 ceasefire with Pakistan came about due to pressure or mediation from the United States. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the ceasefire agreement, announced on May 10, followed direct contact between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan, a move initiated by the Pakistani side.

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, responding to a set of questions raised by five Members of Parliament, stated that the Indian Armed Forces had already achieved their primary objectives by May 8. These included the targeted destruction of terror infrastructure located in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack of April 22.

The Minister acknowledged that diplomatic discussions with various countries, including the United States, took place between April 22 and May 10. However, he asserted that these engagements were part of India’s broader diplomatic outreach and carried a consistent message that India’s approach was “focused, measured and non-escalatory.”

Specifically addressing the role of the U.S., the Government revealed that on May 9, Vice President J.D. Vance was informed that India would retaliate appropriately if Pakistan initiated a significant military escalation. The trade relationship between India and the U.S., according to the reply, was not brought up in these discussions, dismissing speculation that Washington had used trade tariff concessions to influence New Delhi’s decision-making during the crisis.

Responding to questions about possible third-party involvement in conflict resolution, the Government reaffirmed its long-standing position: that all matters concerning Pakistan, including those related to Kashmir, will be resolved bilaterally. “This position has been conveyed to all countries, including by the Prime Minister directly to the President of the United States,” the Minister stated.