Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unequivocally told US President Donald Trump that India never asked for and will never accept any third-party mediation to resolve the issue of Pakistan’s illegal occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
In his 35-minute phone call with Trump, PM Modi also made it clear that India’s counter-terrorism operation, Operation Sindoor, is ongoing.
Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for negotiating the Operation Sindoor ceasefire between India and Pakistan, which India has dismissed.
Briefing media persons, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that since Trump had to leave the G7 Summit in Canada early, the two leaders had a telephonic conversation during which the US President asked PM Modi details about Operation Sindoor.
The PM told Mr Trump India’s response was measured and targeted only terrorist camps in Pak and Pak-occupied Kashmir. The PM also underlined India’s position on third-party mediation, that it is neither wanted nor needed, and that this has always been the case. He also firmly conveyed that India would not pursue any trade deals while engaged in counter-terrorism efforts, according to Misri.
“PM Modi made it clear to President Trump that India would not engage in any trade negotiations amid ongoing terrorist threats, and that India’s fight against terrorism would continue,” Misri said.
“President Trump and PM Modi spoke for about 35 minutes today. During the conversation, PM Modi told President Trump that India would respond to Pakistan’s bullets with shells. He emphasised that Operation Sindoor is still underway,” he added.
Speaking at the G7 outreach session in Canada, PM Modi called for a unified global stand against terrorism and warned against applying double standards in dealing with such threats.
Referring to the terror attack in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi described it as a grave assault on India and humanity.
