The government informed the parliamentary panel that the U.S. had no involvement in, nor prior knowledge of, the truce with Pakistan

India Denies U.S. Involvement in 2021 Pakistan Ceasefire, Tells Parliamentary Panel

The Indian government has formally clarified to a parliamentary panel that the United States was neither involved in nor informed about the 2021 ceasefire agreement with Pakistan, putting to rest speculation about foreign mediation in the landmark truce.  

During a confidential briefing to the Parliament's Standing Committee on External Affairs, senior officials stressed that the February 2021 ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) was exclusively negotiated between New Delhi and Islamabad through backchannel diplomacy. The government's statement comes amid lingering questions about whether third parties, particularly the U.S., played any role in facilitating the agreement.  

Officials revealed that the truce resulted from discreet talks between India's National Security Advisor and Pakistan's military leadership, without any external influence. While the ceasefire has brought relative calm to the border after years of frequent skirmishes, security agencies remain cautious due to continued attempts by militants to infiltrate from across the border.  

The clarification assumes significance as it reinforces India's position of maintaining strategic autonomy in matters of national security. Some analysts had speculated that Washington might have quietly encouraged the détente, given its leverage over Pakistan. However, the government's categorical denial underscores New Delhi's commitment to bilateral resolution of disputes.  

Defense experts have welcomed the transparency, noting that it dispels unnecessary conjecture about foreign involvement. "This reaffirms India's consistent approach of dealing with Pakistan directly on security matters without external mediation," said Dr. Sushant Singh, a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research.  

Despite the ceasefire holding for over two years, official sources indicate that India continues to monitor Pakistan's actions against terror groups operating from its soil. The parliamentary panel also discussed Islamabad's ongoing political instability and its potential implications for regional security.  

The development comes as both nations maintain a fragile peace, with India insisting that meaningful dialogue can only resume if Pakistan takes concrete, verifiable steps to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on its territory.