Modi Rejects Mediation Claims on Pakistan During Call with Trump
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday categorically dismissed US President Donald J. Trump’s repeated claims that America played a mediatory role or used “trade” leverage during Operation Sindoor, the high-stakes military standoff with Pakistan in May.
During a phone conversation between the two leaders, PM Modi clarified that at no stage was there any discussion with the US on a trade deal or mediation in the India-Pakistan conflict. The conversation took place just as Modi departed from Canada after the G7 Summit and headed to Croatia — the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Balkan nation.
According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Modi emphasized that the understanding between New Delhi and Islamabad to halt military actions on May 10 was reached through existing military channels and was initiated by Pakistan. He firmly reiterated that India has never accepted mediation, and “never will.”
President Trump had earlier taken public credit over 14 times, claiming he used trade incentives to de-escalate tensions. His remarks triggered political controversy within India, where opposition parties accused the government of compromising national sovereignty.
The conversation between Modi and Trump marked their first call since the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7 — a retaliatory mission after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.
Trump had invited Modi for a stopover in Washington D.C. after the G7 Summit in Canada. However, the Indian leader declined the offer, citing his pre-scheduled visit to Croatia on June 18, underscoring its diplomatic significance.
Interestingly, Trump is set to meet Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir over lunch on Wednesday — the same day he had hoped to host PM Modi. Indian officials believe that had Modi accepted the invite, it would have created an awkward juxtaposition with the Trump-Munir meeting.
Modi also clarified that his only contact with the US administration during Operation Sindoor was with Vice President JD Vance, who had alerted India about a potential Pakistani counterstrike.
The Indian side views this conversation as a firm rebuttal of Trump’s narrative, and a reassertion of India’s longstanding position: no third-party involvement in bilateral issues with Pakistan.
