Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi explicitly assured US President Donald Trump that there were no discussions on trade or third-party mediation during India’s military operation, Operation Sindoor, against terror launchpads in Pakistan and PoK.
During the operation, which targeted militant bases in Pakistan and occupied Kashmir, several international leaders, including U.S. officials, reached out to India. Initially, before India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire understanding on May 12, Trump claimed he had settled the issue through trade, stating, “I think I settled it through trade. We’re doing a big deal with India. We’re doing a big deal with Pakistan.” India swiftly rejected Trump’s assertion at the time.
Misri explained that during a phone call between Modi and Trump, the Prime Minister told the President that India’s military actions were halted after direct communication through military channels with Pakistan. Modi also reiterated that India does not seek and will never accept any mediation on matters related to Pakistan.
Both leaders’s first post-attack conversation since the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians, lasted 35 minutes. The call was made at Trump’s request after a scheduled in-person meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit was canceled due to Trump’s early departure from the summit.
Misri emphasized that Modi used the discussion to outline India’s restrained, precise response to the terrorist attack, claiming that India targeted only terrorist hideouts with measured military strikes on May 6-7 in Pakistan and PoK. India’s operations involved nine high-value terror infrastructure sites, and the response was proportionate.
In retaliation, Pakistan launched military strikes on Indian military installations and civilian sites, escalating tensions. Pakistan eventually requested a ceasefire, which India accepted solely at Pakistan’s insistence. Misri reiterated that India was never involved in trade talks or third-party mediation during this period, emphasizing Modi’s stance that India opposes any form of mediation on its security matters.
The Foreign Secretary conveyed that Modi made it clear to Trump that India considers any terror act originating from Pakistan as an act of war, and Operation Sindoor remains ongoing. Additionally, Modi warned that if Pakistan launches a major retaliatory strike, India will respond with even greater force—a warning that led to heavy damage to Pakistan’s military targets, including damaged airbases.
Misri further revealed that US Vice President Vance communicated to Modi on May 9 that Pakistan might undertake a significant retaliation. Modi responded firmly that India would respond decisively if such a retaliation occurred.
The phone call also touched upon broader international issues, including the Iran-Israel conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed on the importance of direct dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv for peace and discussed the Indo-Pacific region and the QUAD alliance. Modi extended an invitation to Trump to attend the next QUAD summit in India, which Trump accepted.