Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photo: Reuters
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told US President Donald Trump that the ceasefire between India and Pakistan after a four-day conflict in May was the result of direct negotiations between the military of both countries, without any involvement of third parties.
This was stated by Indian Foreign Minister Vikram Mishra, commenting on a telephone conversation between the leaders on Tuesday, 17 June, on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, Reuters reports.
“Prime Minister Modi made it clear to President Trump that there were no talks about US mediation between India and Pakistan during this period. The cessation of hostilities took place through existing military channels – and at the initiative of Pakistan,” Misri said.
Washington was not a mediator
Last month, Donald Trump claimed that it was thanks to US diplomatic efforts that the two nuclear powers agreed to peace, after he urged them to “focus on trade, not war”. But New Delhi sharply denied these claims at the time, and now it has done so officially and publicly at the highest level.
Modi stressed that India has never accepted and will never accept foreign mediation in security and foreign policy matters.
Operation Sindor continues
During the conversation, Trump also expressed support for India in the fight against terrorism. In response, Prime Minister Modi said that the military operation Sindh, which included cross-border strikes, was still ongoing. This statement actually confirms India’s military activity in the border region, despite the declared ceasefire.
Diplomatic nuances at the G7 summit
Misri also said that the planned face-to-face meeting between Modi and Trump could not take place due to Trump’s early departure from Canada due to the escalating situation in the Middle East.
