VP Jagdeep Dhankhar: No External Power Can Dictate How India Runs Its Affairs

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday asserted that India’s sovereignty is non-negotiable and urged citizens not to be influenced by external narratives. His remarks come amid renewed scrutiny over former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims about brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

Addressing officer trainees of the Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) 2024 batch at the Vice President’s Enclave in New Delhi, Dhankhar emphasized India’s independence in decision-making.

“Don’t be guided by narratives outside. All decisions in this country, a sovereign nation, are taken by its leadership. There is no power on the planet to dictate to India how to handle its affairs,” Dhankhar said, according to ANI.

“We Are Sovereign, We Decide”

He acknowledged India’s role in the global diplomatic community but maintained that the final call on national matters rests with India alone.

“We live in a comity of nations. We work in togetherness, in tandem, with mutual respect and diplomatic dialogue. But at the end of the day, we are sovereign, and we take our own decisions,” he added.

Cricket Analogy: “Don’t Play Every Bad Ball”

Using a metaphor from cricket, the Vice President advised restraint in reacting to provocative or misleading statements.

“Is it required to play every bad ball? One who scores well on the pitch leaves bad balls—they’re tempting, but not attempted. And those who do attempt, there’s always a wicketkeeper and someone in the gully ready to catch,” he said.

Backdrop: Trump’s Ceasefire Claim and Opposition Demands

Dhankhar’s comments come amid the opposition’s call for clarification from the Indian government over Donald Trump’s repeated assertions that he helped broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan on May 10, following a reported military standoff.

Trump has also claimed he linked the truce to a trade deal offered to both nations. However, India has consistently denied these claims, stating that the ceasefire was coordinated directly by the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries without any external mediation.

Adding to the confusion, Trump recently claimed five fighter jets were shot down during the clashes in May—a statement not backed by any official confirmation or evidence from either side.

In response, Dhankhar’s remarks serve as a reaffirmation of India’s sovereign stance and a subtle rebuke of foreign claims seeking to shape the narrative around sensitive national matters.