The strong statement follows Trump repeatedly claimng credit for negotiating the Op Sindoor ceasefire between India and Pakistan – which the government has denied.
New Delhi:
India has never asked for, and will never accept, third-party mediation to resolve the issue of Pakistan‘s illegal occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir – this was the highlight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s late Tuesday phone conversation with US President Donald Trump.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, briefing the press Wednesday morning about that 35-minute phone call – which took place while Mr Modi was in Canada to attend the G7 Summit – said the topic came up after Mr Trump asked Prime Minister Modi for details about Operation Sindoor.
Op Sindoor was India’s successful military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The PM told Mr Trump India’s response had been “measured” and targeted only terrorist camps in Pak and Pak-occupied Kashmir. The PM then also underlined India’s position on third-party mediation – that it is neither wanted nor needed – and that this has always been the case.
“PM Modi stressed India has never accepted mediation, and does not accept and will never accept it. There is complete political unanimity in India on this,” Mr Misri told the press.
The strong statement follows Mr Trump having repeatedly claimed credit for the Op Sindoor ceasefire – something India has firmly denied – and offering his ‘services’ to negotiate the Kashmir issue too.
It also echoes Mr Modi’s statement from May 12; the Prime Minister, in his first address to the nation after the Op Sindoor ceasefire, told Pakistan that there could be no talks over Jammu and Kashmir, except to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the region and return India’s territory.
“If we ever talk to Pakistan, it will be on terror and PoK only,” the PM had said.
Tuesday’s Modi-Trump phone call (and contents) is significant in the context of a confirmed meet between Mr Trump and Pak Army chief General Syed Asim Munir, who is in the US.
The Pak military leader will have lunch with Mr Trump at 1 pm Easten Time (10.30 pm IST) in the White House’s Cabinet Room, according to the President’s daily public schedule.
The timing is critical because Iran and Israel are inching closer to all-out war that could spread to Pak – it shares a land border with Iran – and consequently force to US to deploy troops.
The US will likely be compelled to act to safeguard Pak, which it sees as an ally in the region.
On paper the visit – the first since the Pahalgam attack that was sponsored by the Pak deep state – is ‘primarily bilateral’ and aimed at reinforcing military and strategic ties with the US.
Vance spoke to PM Modi on May 9
The Foreign Secretary said on the night of May 9, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance had called Prime Minister Modi. “Mr. Vance had said that Pakistan could launch a major attack on India, and Mr. Modi told him in clear terms that if that happens, India would respond even more strongly.”
On the night of May 9–10, India gave a very strong response to Pakistan’s attack, inflicting significant damage on the Pakistani Army. Its military airbases were rendered inoperable. Due to India’s strong counteraction, Pakistan had to request India to halt military action, Mr. Modi told Mr. Trump during the call.
Trump invites Modi to U.S.
Mr. Trump is learnt to have invited the Prime Minister to the U.S., asking if he could “stop by” on his way from Canada. Due to pre-scheduled engagements, Mr. Modi expressed his inability.
The two leaders have decided to try meeting in future.
President Trump and Prime Minister Modi also discussed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, both agreed that direct dialogue between the two sides is essential for peace and that efforts should continue toward that goal, Mr. Misri said.
Regarding the Indo-Pacific region, both leaders shared their perspectives and expressed support for the important role of QUAD. For the next QUAD meeting, Prime Minister Modi invited President Trump to visit India. President Trump accepted the invitation and said he looks forward to visiting India, Mr. Misri said.
