Modi Clarifies to Trump There Was No US Mediation in Pakistan Ceasefire
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarified to President Donald Trump that the ceasefire with Pakistan was achieved without U.S. mediation. This clarification came after Trump suggested American involvement. The conflict arose following a deadly attack in Kashmir, leading to significant military exchanges between both countries. Modi emphasized India’s stance against mediation in the future.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asserted to U.S. President Donald Trump that the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, which followed a series of violent skirmishes, was not a result of U.S. mediation. This clarification came after Trump suggested last month that the two countries had reached an accord thanks to American involvement. The statement was made public by India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, indicating concerns over the portrayal of the situation.
Misri detailed that during a phone call late Tuesday, Modi made clear to Trump that at no point was any discussion held regarding U.S. mediation or a potential trade deal between India and the U.S. “During this period, there was no talk at any stage on subjects like India-U.S. trade deal or US mediation between India and Pakistan,” he remarked. The talks that led to the ceasefire were directly between the Indian and Pakistani military forces, initiated by Pakistan’s request.
The two leaders had originally intended to meet at the G7 summit in Canada but could not make it happen, leading to the 35-minute phone call. Trump had expressed in the past that he encouraged both nations to prioritize trade over conflict. There has been no immediate response from the White House concerning the details of the conversation.
Pakistan’s account of the ceasefire process challenges the narrative presented by Trump. The Pakistani military stated that the ceasefire was arranged after the Indian military made an initial contact on May 7. Additionally, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had previously denied any U.S. role in the talks, insisting that their approach was independent from Washington.
The flare-up between India and Pakistan was ignited by an attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which tragically resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, primarily tourists. India attributed the assault to militant groups purportedly supported by Pakistan, but Islamabad has refuted these allegations.
Following the initial attack, on May 7, India executed missile strikes on several locations within Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, leading to a retaliatory exchange of artillery and air raids over a span of three days. According to reports, Pakistani sources claimed the death toll from Indian attacks reached at least 51, comprising both military personnel and civilians, including several children. In contrast, India reported casualties among five of its armed forces during their cross-border operation, referred to as Operation Sindoor.
During the call, Misri noted that Trump expressed support for India’s ongoing battle against terrorism, with Modi informing him that Operation Sindoor remains active. The exchange further highlights the complexities in the growing tension between the two nuclear neighbors, amid international diplomatic efforts for resolution.
In summary, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarified to President Donald Trump that the recent ceasefire with Pakistan was not mediated by the U.S. This assertion underscores India’s longstanding position against external intervention in conflict resolution. The conflict, which stemmed from an earlier deadly incident, raised significant concerns over regional stability, with casualties on both sides. Modi also reiterated India’s ongoing military operations against terrorism, assuring that it remains actively engaged in countering threats from across the border.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
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