Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed U.S. President Donald Trump that the ceasefire reached between India and Pakistan following a four-day conflict in May was brokered through direct military-to-military communication — not U.S. mediation — according to a senior Indian diplomat.
“PM Modi told President Trump clearly that during this period, there was no talk at any stage on subjects like an India-U.S. trade deal or U.S. mediation between India and Pakistan,” said Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in a statement released Wednesday.
Misri clarified that the decision to halt hostilities was made through established military channels between the two neighboring countries and had been prompted by Pakistan. He added that Modi reiterated India’s longstanding stance of rejecting third-party involvement in its disputes with Pakistan.
“The prime minister emphasised that India has not accepted mediation in the past and will never do,” Misri said.
The 35-minute phone conversation between the two leaders took place Tuesday evening, reportedly at Trump’s request, after the two were unable to meet in person on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, where Modi was an invited guest.
The call came after President Trump previously suggested that Washington had played a key role in ending the South Asian military standoff. Speaking last month, Trump said the ceasefire followed U.S.-mediated discussions and that he had encouraged both countries to prioritize trade over military escalation.
The recent flare-up was sparked by a deadly attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 civilians—primarily tourists—were killed. India accused armed groups allegedly backed by Pakistan of orchestrating the assault, a claim Islamabad rejected.
India responded with missile strikes on multiple locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir on May 7. A series of retaliatory exchanges, including artillery fire and air raids, followed over the next three days, targeting airbases and military positions on both sides.
Pakistan reported that at least 51 people, including 11 soldiers and several children, were killed in Indian strikes. India said five members of its armed forces were killed during the cross-border operations, codenamed Operation Sindoor.
Foreign Secretary Misri said that during the phone call, President Trump expressed support for India’s ongoing counterterrorism operations. Modi reportedly told him that Operation Sindoor remains active.
With input from Al Jazeera
