In a move that has sparked debate and raised eyebrows, Ranjit 'Ricky' Singh Gill, an Indian-origin advisor in the Trump administration, has been awarded the National Security Council's (NSC) Distinguished Action Award for his alleged role in ceasefire negotiations between India and Pakistan. The award, presented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, recognizes Gill's contribution to "internal coordination and diplomatic outreach" related to the India-Pakistan ceasefire framework during 2025.

Gill, who serves as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South and Central Asia at the NSC, oversees the India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and broader South and Central Asia portfolio. The award has been interpreted by some as reinforcing former President Donald Trump's repeated claims of brokering peace between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The Trump administration has not disclosed specific details of Gill's involvement.

The award has been met with skepticism and criticism, particularly in India, where officials have consistently denied any U.S. involvement in the ceasefire. India maintains that the understanding was reached bilaterally through established military and diplomatic channels.

Former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal expressed his concerns on X (formerly Twitter), calling the award "puzzling" and suggesting it contradicts India's stance on third-party involvement. Sibal questioned whether the award was an attempt to take credit away from Trump, who had repeatedly claimed to have coerced a ceasefire with trade threats.

Ricky Gill, 38, has a diverse background in law and international affairs. Born in Lodi, New Jersey, to physicians Jasbir and Param Gill, he holds a bachelor's degree from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Gill's career includes serving as Director for Russia and European Energy Security at the NSC during Trump's first term and as a senior advisor in the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations. He entered public service at the age of 17 as the sole student member of the California State Board of Education under then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In 2012, Gill ran for the House of Representatives in California but was unsuccessful. Despite India's repeated denials of U.S. mediation, the NSC's recognition of Gill's role highlights the differing narratives surrounding the India-Pakistan ceasefire and the extent of external influence in the matter. The award continues to fuel diplomatic debate and raises questions about the U.S.'s perception and portrayal of its role in the complex relationship between India and Pakistan.