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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated India’s firm stance against third-party mediation in any matters concerning Pakistan during a phone call with US President Donald Trump. The two leaders spoke for 35 minutes on Wednesday after their planned bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit was cancelled due to Trump’s early return to the United States.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, briefing reporters, said the call was held at the request of President Trump and marked the first conversation between the leaders since the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam and India’s subsequent military response under Operation Sindoor.
Phone call held on Trump's request
"The phone conversation was held at the request of President Trump," Misri said. "Prime Minister Modi used the opportunity to detail India's measured military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 innocent tourists," he added.
The Pahalgam attack was claimed by The Resistance Front, a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine high-value terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
"Prime Minister Modi said that on the night of May 6–7, India had targeted only terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India's actions were very measured, precise, and non-escalatory," Misri added.
‘Goli’ will meet ‘gola’
Emphasising India's doctrine of firm retaliation, Misri noted, "India had made it clear that it would respond to Pakistan's 'goli' with 'gola' (a strong, proportionate military response)."
Misri also revealed that on the night of May 9, US Vice President Vance had alerted PM Modi to a potential large-scale retaliatory strike by Pakistan. The Prime Minister, according to Misri, responded with clarity and determination.
"Prime Minister Modi told him clearly that if this happens, India will respond with even greater force. India's strong counterattack on the night of May 9–10 caused heavy damage to Pakistan's military. Several of their airbases were rendered inoperable," Misri said.
He further noted that Pakistan, facing the brunt of India’s military retaliation, approached New Delhi through existing military channels with a request to halt further operations.
Ceasefire came at Pakistan’s request, no role for mediation or trade
"Prime Minister Modi stated that the ceasefire was agreed to only at the request of Pakistan and that India does not want mediation. He made it clear that at no point during this episode were India-US trade talks or third-party mediation discussed," Misri clarified. "The halt to military action was discussed directly between the two countries through existing military channels," he added.
Reiterating India’s longstanding position on mediation, Misri said, "Prime Minister Modi stressed that India has never accepted mediation, does not accept it, and will never accept it. There is complete political unanimity in India on this issue."
President Trump, according to Misri, "fully understood India's position and expressed support for its fight against terrorism." During the call, PM Modi also informed Trump that India now views terrorism not as a proxy threat but as an act of war, and that Operation Sindoor remains ongoing.
President Trump reportedly inquired whether Prime Minister Modi could stop over in the United States on his return from Canada. However, the Prime Minister expressed his inability due to prior commitments. Both sides agreed to make efforts to meet soon.
The two leaders also discussed broader geopolitical concerns, including the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict and the war in Ukraine. Both agreed on the necessity of direct dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv to achieve peace.
"They also discussed the Indo-Pacific and the vital role of the QUAD. Prime Minister Modi invited President Trump to India for the next QUAD summit, and President Trump accepted the invitation," Misri added.
English (US) ·