Kananaskis (Canada), June 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday clarified during a phone call with US President Donald Trump that India’s military campaign, Operation Sindoor, was paused only after a request from Pakistan—not due to US mediation or any discussion on a trade deal.
In a 35-minute conversation held on Tuesday, PM Modi briefed President Trump about Operation Sindoor, launched in response to terror activities in Pakistan, and emphasized that nations supporting terrorism must face the consequences.
This was the first direct conversation between the two leaders since the temporary pause in the operation last month.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated, “The Prime Minister made it clear that there was no discussion of trade or mediation linked to the operation. India has never accepted third-party mediation and will not accept it in the future.”
Modi informed Trump that India’s strong response to Pakistan’s attacks on the night of May 9-10 had resulted in significant damage to Pakistan’s military infrastructure and rendered several of their airbases inoperable. He said this compelled Pakistan to request India to halt the operation.
The Prime Minister told Trump that the decision to pause military action was taken through direct communication between India and Pakistan using established channels, without any foreign involvement.
Modi also clarified that India’s military actions were “measured, precise, and non-escalatory” and specifically targeted terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during the night of May 6-7.
He further said that India would no longer treat terrorism as a proxy war, but as an act of war, and that Operation Sindoor was still ongoing.
Foreign Secretary Misri noted that while a face-to-face meeting between Modi and Trump was planned on the sidelines of the G-7 summit, it could not take place as President Trump left early due to rising tensions between Israel and Iran.
Trump had called for the phone conversation afterward, reaffirming US support for India’s fight against terrorism.
Modi also mentioned that US Vice President J.D. Vance had called him on May 9 to warn about a possible large-scale strike by Pakistan. Modi had responded that any such action by Pakistan would be met with a stronger response from India.
The Prime Minister declined Trump’s invitation to visit the US due to prior commitments but invited him to visit India for the upcoming Quad Summit later this year.
