Prime Minister Narendra Modi told US President Donald Trump that there was never any discussion about a trade deal between India and the US or about the US acting as a mediator between India and Pakistan. This statement came weeks after Trump claimed he had stopped a war between the two countries and linked it to a trade deal with India.

The two leaders spoke on the phone for 35 minutes, their first conversation since India’s military operation called Operation Sindoor. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri shared the details of this call. He said, “President Trump enquired if Prime Minister Modi could stop over in the US on his way back from Canada. Due to prior commitments, Prime Minister Modi expressed his inability to do so. Both leaders agreed to make efforts to meet in the near future.”

Modi travelled from Canada to Croatia after attending the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. Trump had already returned to Washington before the summit ended, so the two leaders couldn’t meet there.

During their phone call, Prime Minister Modi made it clear to Trump 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 between India and Pakistan.”

Modi also told Trump that the discussion to stop military action happened directly between India and Pakistan, through their existing military communication channels. “It was initiated at Pakistan’s request,” Misri added.

Modi strongly stated that “India does not and will never accept mediation. There is complete political consensus in India on this matter.”

Trump repeats claim of stopping India-Pakistan war

Just a few hours after Modi’s statement, President Trump repeated his earlier claim. He said, “Well, I stopped the war… . I love Pakistan. I think Modi is a fantastic man. I spoke to him last night. We are going to make a trade deal with Modi of India. But I stopped the war between Pakistan and India.”

Trump was speaking while having lunch with Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir at the White House. He praised Munir and said, “This man was extremely influential in stopping it from the Pakistan side.” He also added, “Modi, from the India side, and others. They (India and Pakistan) were going at it, and they are both nuclear countries. I got it stopped… I stopped the war between two major nations, major nuclear nations. I don’t think I had a story written about it,” he said, adding that “the people know.”

Earlier, Misri said that Trump had called Modi after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and had expressed his condolences. Trump also showed support for India’s fight against terrorism.

Misri said, “Prime Minister Modi spoke in detail about Operation Sindoor with President Trump.” Modi told Trump that after the April 22 attack, India had made it clear to the world that it would take strong action against terrorism.

Modi explained that on the night of May 6-7, India only targeted terrorist camps and hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. “India’s actions were very measured, precise and non-escalatory. India had also made it clear that any act of aggression from Pakistan would be met with a stronger response,” Misri said.

He also revealed that on the night of May 9, US Vice President (JD) Vance called Prime Minister Modi. Vance warned Modi that Pakistan might launch a major attack. Modi replied that if that happened, “India would respond with an even stronger response.”

“On the night of May 9-10, India gave a strong and decisive response to Pakistan’s attack, inflicting significant damage on the Pakistani military. Their military air bases were rendered inoperable. Due to India’s firm action, Pakistan was compelled to request a cessation of military operations,” Misri said.

Trump listened carefully to Modi’s explanation and “expressed his support towards India’s fight against terrorism”, Misri added.

Modi invites Trump for next Quad Summit

Modi also told Trump that “India no longer views terrorism as a proxy war but as a war itself, and that India’s Operation Sindoor is still ongoing.”

During their conversation, the two leaders also discussed the ongoing war between Israel and Iran. They agreed that for peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, direct dialogue between both countries is needed, and efforts should continue to help them talk.

On issues in the Indo-Pacific region, Modi and Trump shared their views and supported the important role of the Quad group in maintaining peace. This was seen as a hint towards China’s aggressive actions in the region.

Modi invited Trump to visit India for the next Quad Summit. “President Trump accepted the invitation and said he is looking forward to visiting India,” Misri said.

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