Did Modi and Trump Discuss Trade Talks During Operation Sindoor?

New Delhi, June 18 (NationPress) Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi explicitly conveyed to US President Donald Trump that no discussions regarding trade negotiations or mediation took place during Operation Sindoor prior to Pakistan's request for a ceasefire.

Following India's initiation of Operation Sindoor targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), prominent US officials and leaders from other nations attempted to engage with New Delhi. Just before India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire understanding on May 12, Trump claimed to have resolved the issue through trade.

During a joint press conference with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, he stated, “I believe I resolved it through trade. We are finalizing significant agreements with both India and Pakistan.”

At that time, India promptly dismissed Trump's assertion, which was reiterated in the recent phone conversation between PM Modi and Trump.

According to Misri, PM Modi informed Trump that military actions ceased following a direct dialogue between India and Pakistan through their military channels. Modi also emphasized that India does not seek and will never accept any mediation regarding Pakistan-related issues.

Since his initial 'announcement' on May 12, Trump has continuously asserted that his administration facilitated the ceasefire understanding between the two nuclear-capable nations after “extensive discussions.”

Misri disclosed that the two leaders engaged in a 35-minute phone call, their first communication since the Pahalgam terror attack and India's retaliatory Operation Sindoor.

This conversation occurred after a planned in-person meeting at the G7 Summit was canceled due to Trump's early return to the US.

“The phone call was initiated at Trump’s request,” said Misri, adding that PM Modi seized the opportunity to explain India’s measured military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 innocent tourists.

The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front, a group linked to the Pakistan-based terror organization Lashkar-e-Taiba.

“Prime Minister Modi stated that on the night of May 6-7, India targeted only terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and PoK. India’s actions were precise, measured, and non-escalatory,” Misri said.

“India made it clear that it would respond to Pakistan’s ‘goli’ with ‘gola’ (a strong, proportional military response),” he added.

Operation Sindoor involved India striking nine significant terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and PoK. In retaliation, Pakistan launched military strikes not only on Indian military targets but also on civilian and religious sites, leading to further escalation.

He noted that after India’s strong retaliation, Pakistan approached India with a ceasefire request.

“Prime Minister Modi clarified that the ceasefire was agreed upon only at Pakistan's request and that India does not desire mediation. He stressed that at no point during this incident were India-US trade discussions or third-party mediation addressed,” Misri stated.

“The cessation of military action was discussed directly between the two nations through established military channels,” he added.

Reaffirming India's long-standing stance, Misri stated, “Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India has never accepted mediation, does not accept it, and will never accept it. There is complete political consensus in India on this issue.”

President Trump, according to Misri, fully grasped India’s position and expressed support for its counter-terrorism efforts. PM Modi also informed Trump that India would view any terror act originating from Pakistan as an act of war and that Operation Sindoor remains ongoing.

The Foreign Secretary also revealed that on May 9, US Vice President Vance communicated to PM Modi that Pakistan might launch a significant retaliatory strike.

“Prime Minister Modi clearly stated that if this occurs, India will respond with even greater force. India’s robust counteraction on the night of May 9-10 inflicted substantial damage on Pakistan’s military, rendering several of their airbases inoperable,” Misri noted.

Trump reportedly inquired if PM Modi could visit the US on his return from Canada, but the Prime Minister declined due to prior engagements. Nonetheless, both leaders agreed to strive for a meeting soon.

The discussion also encompassed global issues, including the Iran-Israel conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Both leaders concurred that direct dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv is essential for peace.

“They also deliberated on the Indo-Pacific and the critical role of the QUAD. Prime Minister Modi invited President Trump to India for the next QUAD summit, which President Trump accepted,” Misri concluded.