Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has rejected claims that the United States brokered the India-Pakistan ceasefire after Operation Sindoor, saying the agreement was reached directly between the two countries’ military leadership. He also questioned how Washington obtained details before the official announcement.
Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has challenged US President Donald Trump’s repeated claim that Washington helped broker the India-Pakistan ceasefire following Operation Sindoor.
Speaking at a Vivekananda International Foundation event on Tuesday, Chauhan said the cessation of hostilities was reached through direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan, with no third-party mediation involved.
He also questioned how the United States obtained information about the ceasefire before India and Pakistan publicly announced it.
Chauhan Rejects US Mediation Claim
Chauhan said he did not see any role for a third party in the discussions that led to the cessation of hostilities.
According to his account, the ceasefire was settled through structured communication between the military leadership of India and Pakistan.
His comments directly challenge Trump's repeated assertion that the United States played a central role in bringing the fighting to an end.
Trump had previously said Washington helped facilitate the agreement following negotiations between the two countries.
Chauhan's account instead places the emphasis firmly on the India-Pakistan military channel.
How Ceasefire Was Reached
Chauhan recalled the sequence of events surrounding the May 10, 2025 ceasefire.
He said India initially faced difficulty establishing contact with its Pakistani counterpart. Communication was eventually established and the two sides discussed stopping hostilities.
According to Chauhan, the decision was ultimately taken for the ceasefire to begin at 5 pm.
He said the understanding was reached between the two DGMOs.
The former CDS's account provides a detailed description of the military-to-military communication channel used during the final stages of the conflict.
'How Did US Know?'
One of Chauhan's key questions concerned the timing of the US announcement.
He questioned how Washington had received information about the ceasefire before India and Pakistan had officially announced it.
Chauhan said he was confident that the information had not originated from the Indian side.
He suggested that the details may have “leaked out from the other side”, referring to Pakistan.
The remarks raise questions about how information moved between the parties during a sensitive military confrontation.
However, Chauhan did not provide evidence establishing how the information reached Washington.
Trump Announced Ceasefire First
Trump was the first major leader to publicly announce the ceasefire.
In a post on Truth Social, he said India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire” after what he described as a “long night of talks mediated by the United States”.
The announcement came before the formal public statements from New Delhi and Islamabad.
Trump subsequently repeatedly claimed that US diplomatic pressure had helped bring the fighting to an end.
His administration has also pointed to the possibility of economic pressure, including tariffs, as part of Washington's efforts.
India Has Rejected Mediation
India has consistently maintained that the cessation of hostilities was achieved through direct bilateral military communication.
New Delhi has rejected the suggestion that a third country mediated the ceasefire.
The Indian position has been that the understanding emerged through established channels between the two militaries.
Chauhan's latest comments reinforce that account, particularly his assertion that the DGMOs directly negotiated the cessation of hostilities.
The disagreement over the role of Washington has remained a sensitive issue in the diplomatic narrative surrounding Operation Sindoor.
Operation Sindoor Context
Operation Sindoor followed the escalation between India and Pakistan in May 2025.
The operation involved Indian military strikes against targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied territory after the Pahalgam terror attack, according to India's stated account.
The subsequent fighting involved missile, drone and artillery exchanges before the two sides agreed to halt hostilities.
The ceasefire brought an end to the immediate military confrontation but left continuing questions about deterrence, escalation management and the role of external powers.
Chauhan's remarks offer further insight into how the military leadership handled the final stage of the conflict.
Broader Diplomatic Dispute
The disagreement over who helped secure the ceasefire has broader diplomatic significance.
Trump has repeatedly presented the US as an important factor in ending the India-Pakistan conflict, while India has emphasised its longstanding position against third-party mediation on bilateral issues.
The difference is particularly important because New Delhi has traditionally maintained that disputes with Pakistan should be addressed directly between the two countries.
Chauhan's comments therefore reinforce a key element of India's diplomatic position.
Information Leak Question
The former CDS's remarks also highlight the importance of information security during military operations.
If details of a sensitive ceasefire arrangement reached an outside government before the official announcement, it could indicate that information was shared or communicated through channels outside the formal Indian announcement process.
Chauhan, however, only suggested that the information may have come from the Pakistani side and did not establish the source.
Further evidence or official statements would be required to determine how Washington obtained advance information.
What Happens Next
Chauhan's comments are likely to renew debate over the US role in the India-Pakistan ceasefire and Trump's repeated claims of mediation.
The former CDS has provided a clear account from the military side: the cessation of hostilities was agreed through the two DGMOs, and he does not see a role for a third party in the actual decision.
His question about how Washington learned of the agreement before its public announcement remains unanswered.
The issue is likely to continue attracting attention as India examines the strategic lessons of Operation Sindoor and the diplomatic and military developments that followed.
Note: This report is based on remarks attributed to former CDS General Anil Chauhan at a Vivekananda International Foundation event on August 25, 2026, along with previously stated positions by the Indian and US sides. Claims about the source of information reaching Washington before the official announcement remain unverified.
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