New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed U.S. President Donald Trump that the recent ceasefire with Pakistan, following a four-day military escalation in May, was the result of direct talks between the two nations' armed forces, not U.S. mediation. This clarification came during a phone conversation between the two leaders on Tuesday evening, according to India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
The exchange, which occurred on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, marked their first direct communication since the May 7–10 conflict. Modi firmly denied any involvement of U.S. mediation or discussions around a trade deal during the conflict, contrary to Trump’s earlier claim that Washington had played a key role in bringing about the ceasefire.
“Prime Minister Modi clearly conveyed to President Trump that there was no dialogue at any stage regarding a trade agreement or U.S. mediation,” Misri said in a press briefing. “The cessation of hostilities was coordinated directly through established military channels between India and Pakistan, following Pakistan's request. India has not accepted third-party mediation in the past and will not accept it in the future.”
Misri added that while the two leaders were expected to meet in person during the summit, the meeting was cancelled as Trump left early to address developments in the Middle East.
The White House has yet to comment on the phone call.
Islamabad had earlier stated that the ceasefire came after its military responded to a call initiated by the Indian side on May 7.
The conflict was triggered by an April 22 terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which left 26 people dead, most of them tourists. India accused Pakistan-backed militants of carrying out the attack — a claim Pakistan has denied.
On May 7, India launched cross-border airstrikes targeting what it described as “terrorist infrastructure,” prompting a series of retaliatory strikes from both sides involving warplanes, drones, and heavy artillery — marking the most intense exchange between the two countries in decades.
During the call, Trump reiterated his support for India’s counterterrorism efforts. Modi, in turn, briefed him on “Operation Sindoor,” under which India continues to target terrorist sites across the border, Misri said.
Trump reportedly asked Modi whether he could make a stop in the U.S. on his way back from Canada, but Modi declined due to prior commitments. However, he extended an invitation to Trump to visit India later this year for a Quad summit — an invitation that Trump accepted, according to Misri.
