Modi Disputes Trump’s Claims of US Mediation in India-Pak Ceasefire

• President Trump and Prime Minister Modi engage in a phone conversation.
• Modi states that India has never accepted mediation and never will.
• Indications suggest ceasefire with Pakistan happened through military communication.

NEW DELHI: In contrast to US President Donald Trump’s view, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dismissed any claims of US involvement in facilitating a ceasefire with Pakistan last month.

“PM Modi made it clear to President Trump that during this timeframe, discussions concerning a potential India-US trade agreement or US mediation between India and Pakistan were not on the table,” Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri explained during a press statement regarding the phone conversation.

“The negotiations regarding halting military actions were conducted directly between India and Pakistan through established military channels, and at Pakistan’s request. PM Modi stressed that India has not accepted mediation in the past and will not in the future,” the diplomat noted.

Misri mentioned that the two leaders spoke for 35 minutes at Trump’s request during the G7 summit in Canada, where Modi was invited as a guest.

However, the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the call between Modi and Trump.

Modi’s rejection of US mediation follows Trump’s assertion last month that the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbors reached a ceasefire after discussions facilitated by the US, and that hostilities ceased as he encouraged them to concentrate on trade instead of conflict.

Meanwhile, Islamabad previously indicated that the ceasefire was initiated after a call from the Indian military on May 7, to which their military responded.

India’s latest claims concern the 87-hour conflict between the two nations, triggered by a terrorist attack on tourists in the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in cross-border strikes and claimed the lives of 40 civilians and 13 military personnel in Pakistan.

In retaliation for India’s cross-border attacks, Pakistan executed Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, bringing down six Indian Air Force jets, including three Rafales, in response to what they termed aggression from India.

After four days of fighting, the nations reached a ceasefire on May 10, reportedly facilitated by the US.

While Pakistan has repeatedly acknowledged President Trump’s role in the ceasefire—something he has pointed out as well—India has consistently denied any US involvement.

However, President Trump has publicly reiterated his offer to mediate the longstanding Kashmir dispute, a stance also supported by the US State Department.

Separately, during a press briefing in Washington, US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that President Trump can only extend offers of assistance, and it is up to the countries involved to decide if they wish to accept it.

“I won’t comment on another country’s decision-making. That’s their call. However, we’re thankful to have a president willing to extend help and eager to assist,” the spokesperson remarked.