New Delhi– Prime Minister Narendra Modi has firmly reiterated to U.S. President Donald Trump that India does not seek, accept, and will never accept any third-party mediation in matters related to Pakistan, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Wednesday.
The statement came during a 35-minute phone conversation between the two leaders—held at Trump’s request—marking their first exchange since the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and India’s military response under Operation Sindoor. A previously scheduled in-person meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit was canceled due to Trump’s early departure from the event.
During the call, PM Modi detailed India’s carefully calibrated response to the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 tourists and was claimed by The Resistance Front, a group linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.
“On the night of May 6–7, India conducted precise and non-escalatory strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,” Misri said. “India made it clear it would answer Pakistan’s ‘goli’ with ‘gola’—a firm and proportionate military response.”
Operation Sindoor targeted nine major terror infrastructure sites. In retaliation, Pakistan launched strikes on Indian military installations as well as civilian and religious sites, escalating tensions. In response, India carried out a forceful counterstrike on May 9–10, reportedly disabling several Pakistani airbases.
Misri also revealed that U.S. Vice President Vance had warned PM Modi on May 9 that Pakistan might initiate a major retaliatory strike. The Prime Minister, in turn, made it clear that any such action would be met with even greater force.
Following India’s robust response, Pakistan requested a ceasefire through existing military channels.
“Prime Minister Modi stated clearly that the ceasefire agreement came solely at Pakistan’s request, and at no point were there any discussions involving U.S.-India trade or third-party mediation,” Misri emphasized.
He added, “Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s longstanding and unanimous political position: India has never accepted mediation, does not accept it, and will never accept it.”
President Trump was said to have acknowledged and respected India’s stance, expressing his support for India’s fight against terrorism. Modi further underscored that any future terror act originating from Pakistan would be treated as an act of war. He also confirmed that Operation Sindoor remains active.
The conversation also touched on major international developments, including the ongoing Iran-Israel tensions and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Both leaders agreed on the need for direct dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv as the path to peace.
They also discussed strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the importance of the QUAD alliance. Modi invited Trump to India for the next QUAD summit, an invitation Trump accepted. Trump, in turn, invited Modi to visit Washington after his Canada trip, though Modi declined due to prior commitments. Both leaders agreed to meet soon. (Source: IANS)
