Indian PM Narendra Modi held a 35-minute telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, in which he stressed that India has never asked for, and will never accept, a third-party mediation to resolve the issue of Pakistan’s illegal occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Modi spoke with Trump over Operation Sindoor, which was launched by India on terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir last month, days after a terror attack in the Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 left 26 people dead.
Speaking on the conversation between the two leaders, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said: “PM Modi stressed that India never accepted mediation nor does it accept it now, nor will it ever do that. On this issue, there is full political unanimity.”
Donald Trump had often mentioned the role he played in mediating between India and Pakistan to reach a ceasefire last month. India has continuously rejected the claim.
“PM Modi told President Trump clearly that during this entire series of incidents, never were talks held at any level on India-America trade deal and mediation between India and Pakistan by America,” Misri said sharing details about the conversation.
“The talks regarding cessation of military action were held directly between India and Pakistan under the existing channels established between both militaries; it was done at Pakistan’s request,” he said.
The timing of the telephone conversation assumes significance since it occurred just hours before Trump is scheduled to meet with the Pakistani Army Chief at the White House.
Munir is currently visiting the USA.
The private luncheon will be held in the Cabinet Room, and no press access has been permitted, India Today reported.
Misri said Trump asked Modi to visit the US while returning from Canada where the Indian leader visited to attend the G7 Meeting.
“Due to prior commitments, PM Modi expressed his inability to do so,” the Indian official said.
