Indian-Origin US Official Ricky Gill Honoured for Role in India-Pakistan Ceasefire Diplomacy

Indian-origin US official Ricky Gill has received the National Security Council’s (NSC) Distinguished Action Award for his role in diplomatic efforts surrounding the India-Pakistan ceasefire understanding earlier this year, US officials confirmed.

The award was presented by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, citing Gill’s contribution to internal coordination and diplomatic outreach during a sensitive regional moment.

Who is Ricky Gill and why was he honoured?

Gill currently serves as Special Assistant to the US President and Senior Director for South and Central Asia at the NSC, overseeing a strategic portfolio that includes India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the wider South and Central Asia region.

According to the official citation, the recognition acknowledges his work in managing inter-agency coordination and maintaining diplomatic communication channels amid heightened tensions.

What has India said about Operation Sindoor and US involvement?

India, however, has consistently maintained that the ceasefire understanding between New Delhi and Islamabad was achieved bilaterally, without any third-party mediation.

Senior Indian government figures, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, have repeatedly stated that the reaffirmation of the ceasefire resulted from direct engagement between the two countries’ military leaderships, in line with existing agreements and established diplomatic mechanisms.

The Indian government has also reiterated its long-standing position that it does not accept third-party mediation on matters relating to Pakistan.

What did US clarify on Gill’s role in Operation Sindoor?

US officials have clarified that Gill’s role did not involve mediating the ceasefire but focused on internal policy coordination and diplomatic outreach within the US system during the period of de-escalation.

Gill previously served in the first Trump administration as Director for Russia and European Energy Security at the NSC and earlier worked as a Senior Advisor at the US State Department’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations.

What was Gill’s role outside the US administration?

In the private sector, he led Gill Capital Group and advised TC Energy on European and Asian energy infrastructure projects with geopolitical significance.

Born in Lodi, New Jersey, Ricky Gill is the son of 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.