By The Sampadak Express
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a recent phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, reiterated India’s unequivocal stance against third-party mediation in matters concerning Pakistan. The conversation marked the leaders’ first interaction since the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent military response under Operation Sindoor.“
Prime Minister Modi made it absolutely clear that India has never accepted mediation, does not accept it, and will never accept it. There is complete political unanimity on this issue in India,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The phone call, which lasted 35 minutes, was initiated at President Trump’s request after a planned meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit was cancelled due to his early departure from the event.
During the discussion, PM Modi briefed President Trump on India’s calibrated and precise military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists.“
India’s response on the night of May 6-7 targeted only terrorist infrastructure located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was carefully executed to avoid escalation,” Misri explained.
The prime minister also conveyed that any future terrorist activity from across the border would not be treated as a proxy action, but rather as an act of war. Misri said PM Modi underlined that India’s doctrine is to reply to bullets with bombs “goli ka jawab gola se.”
According to the foreign secretary, PM Modi informed Trump about a warning conveyed by U.S. Vice President Vance on May 9 regarding a possible large-scale retaliatory strike by Pakistan. Modi responded firmly, stating that India would retaliate with even greater intensity if provoked.
India’s counteroffensive on the night of May 9-10 inflicted significant damage on Pakistan’s military assets, including the disabling of several airbases. Following this, Pakistan reportedly reached out to India requesting a ceasefire.“
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the ceasefire was only agreed to upon Pakistan’s request and that India did not engage in or entertain any discussions on mediation or trade during this time,” Misri stated. He added that the cessation of hostilities was coordinated through existing military communication channels between the two nations.
President Trump, Misri said, acknowledged and respected India’s firm position and expressed his support for New Delhi’s fight against terrorism. The Prime Minister also confirmed that Operation Sindoor remains active as a continued measure against cross-border terror threats.
The two leaders also touched upon global geopolitical concerns including the Iran-Israel conflict and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, stressing the importance of direct dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv.
They further discussed the strategic significance of the Indo-Pacific region and the role of the QUAD alliance. PM Modi invited President Trump to India for the upcoming QUAD summit a proposal the U.S. leader accepted. In return, Trump extended an invitation to PM Modi to visit Washington, which the Indian Prime Minister declined due to prior engagements.
Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and to meet at the earliest opportunity.
