Daijiworld Media Network – Kananaskis
Kananaskis, Jun 18: In a firm diplomatic stance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has categorically ruled out third-party mediation in India-Pakistan affairs, including from the United States, while also clarifying that the temporary halt in Operation Sindoor was made at Pakistan’s request, not due to any trade negotiations or external intervention.
During a 35-minute phone call with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, PM Modi provided a detailed briefing on India’s cross-border military operation targeting terror camps in Pakistan. The operation, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, marked a strong message to nations allegedly sponsoring terrorism.
“PM Modi made it unequivocally clear that no trade deal or mediation was ever linked to Operation Sindoor,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in a statement. “India’s decision to pause the operation was purely based on direct communication with Pakistan and its request to de-escalate,” he added.
President Trump had extended an invitation for PM Modi to visit the US post the G-7 summit in Canada. However, citing a prior schedule, the Prime Minister declined the offer and instead invited Trump to India later this year for the next QUAD Summit—a strategic grouping of India, the US, Japan, and Australia.
Misri also revealed that the two leaders were slated to meet on the sidelines of the G-7 summit, but the meeting did not materialize as President Trump had to leave early amid tensions escalating between Israel and Iran.
Recounting India’s military response on the night of May 9-10, PM Modi informed President Trump that precision strikes severely damaged Pakistan’s military infrastructure, leaving key airbases non-operational. The Indian PM emphasized that the action was “measured, precise, and non-escalatory,” but forceful enough to compel Pakistan to plead for a ceasefire.
“The Prime Minister reiterated India’s new doctrine: terrorism will no longer be treated as proxy war, but as an act of war. Operation Sindoor, though temporarily halted, remains an active campaign,” Misri stated.
In the conversation, President Trump reportedly acknowledged and supported India’s right to defend itself against terrorism. Modi also brought up an earlier warning from US Vice President J D Vance, who had alerted India on May 9 of a potential large-scale Pakistani strike. Modi said he had responded firmly that any such move would be met with a heavier Indian retaliation.
The leaders also discussed the evolving geopolitical landscape, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the growing importance of QUAD in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Both agreed that direct negotiations were key to resolving the Ukraine crisis.
Regarding the West Asian flare-up, Modi and Trump exchanged views on the deteriorating situation between Israel and Iran. The conversation ended on a positive note, with Trump expressing his enthusiasm for visiting India for the upcoming QUAD summit.
With this dialogue, PM Modi has once again reinforced India’s long-held policy of bilateral handling of Pakistan-related issues, shutting down any speculation of international mediation or pressure.