NEW DELHI: Sending a clear and firm message to Washington, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told US President Donald Trump that India has never accepted and will never accept third-party 'mediation' on the Kashmir issue.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, PM Modi made the stance unequivocally clear during a 35-minute phone call on Tuesday.
The call -- the second direct engagement between the two leaders since the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir came against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, India’s precision military strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Misri noted that “India’s response was measured, precise, and limited to terrorist infrastructure in Pak and PoK,” underscoring New Delhi’s commitment to strategic restraint without compromising on national security.
The conversation also sought to clarify India's position on recent claims by President Trump, who had repeatedly talked about playing a role in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
PM Modi directly addressed it, saying there were “no discussions on a trade deal between India and the US or about a mediation between India and Pakistan” at any point during the four days of military confrontation.
Misri elaborated: “The Prime Minister told President Trump that India’s position on third-party mediation has always been consistent -- it is not needed, not desired, and will not be accepted.”
Prime Minister Modi briefed President Trump in detail about Operation Sindoor, explaining that India had declared its intent to act against terrorism globally following the April 22 attack.
On the intervening night of May 6–7, Indian forces conducted targeted strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and PoK. Modi emphasised that these actions were 'very measured, precise, and non-escalatory.'
President Trump had suggested a stopover meeting in the US during PM Modi’s return from Canada, but PM declined it due to prior commitments.
However, both leaders agreed to find another opportunity for an in-person meeting soon.
On May 9, the US Vice President Vance warned PM Modi that Pakistan might launch a significant retaliatory strike. PM Modi had responded that if such an action were to occur, India would respond with an even stronger response.
As predicted, on the night of May 9–10, India retaliated strongly to Pakistani aggression, damaging Pakistani military airbases and rendering several inoperable. This decisive response led to Pakistan requesting a cessation of hostilities through established military communication channels.
PM Modi was categorical in stating that “at no point during this entire sequence of events was there any discussion, at any level, on an India-US Trade Deal, or any proposal for a mediation by the US.”
The ceasefire talks, he clarified, were conducted exclusively between India and Pakistan, without external involvement.
“There is complete political consensus in India on this matter,” Misri said, emphasising the domestic unanimity behind PM Modi’s message to Trump.
President Trump reportedly listened attentively and reiterated US support for India’s counter-terrorism efforts. PM Modi further noted that India now views terrorism not as a proxy war, but as a direct war. “Operation Sindoor is still ongoing,” he told Trump.
The leaders also discussed other global flashpoints, including the Israel-Iran conflict and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Both agreed that peace in Ukraine can only come through direct dialogue between the warring parties.
In the Indo-Pacific, Modi and Trump reaffirmed the strategic importance of the QUAD grouping.
PM Modi invited President Trump to visit India for the next QUAD Summit -- a proposal Trump accepted, expressing his eager to travel to India.
