PM Declines Trump's US Invite Over Scheduling Issues, Invites Him To Quad
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke with US President Donald Trump and set the record straight that Operation Sindoor was "paused" following a request from Pakistan and not due to mediation or offer of a trade deal by the US.
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PM Modi extended an invitation to President Trump to attend the Quad Summit in India
Kananaskis (Canada):
Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a 35-minute telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, clarifying that Operation Sindoor was temporarily halted following Pakistan's request, not due to American mediation or any trade agreement proposals.
During their first discussion since Operation Sindoor was paused last month, PM Modi provided President Trump with a detailed briefing on the military operation against terrorist facilities in Pakistan, emphasizing that nations harboring terrorism must face consequences.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri released a statement regarding the call, saying: "PM Modi explicitly stated that no trade-related topics were discussed in connection with Operation Sindoor. He firmly asserted that India has consistently rejected third-party mediation and will maintain this stance in the future."
According to Misri, President Trump invited PM Modi, who was attending the G-7 meeting in Canada, to visit the United States on his return journey.
PM Modi declined the invitation citing prior commitments in his schedule. Instead, he invited President Trump to visit India for the upcoming Quad Summit, expected to take place later this year.
President Trump had departed from the G-7 meeting prematurely due to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
The two leaders had previously spoken following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, when President Trump expressed condolences and offered support to India in combating terrorism.
During Tuesday's call, PM Modi explained that India's robust response to Pakistan's attack on the night of May 9-10 resulted in significant damage to Pakistan's military infrastructure and rendered their air bases non-operational.
PM Modi informed President Trump that India's forceful retaliation compelled Pakistan to request a cessation of military operations.
The Prime Minister clearly conveyed to President Trump that throughout this sequence of events, there was no discussion of any India-US trade deal, nor was there any mention of US mediation between India and Pakistan, Misri stated.
PM Modi clarified that the decision to suspend military action resulted from direct communications between India and Pakistan through existing channels, at Pakistan's insistence.
The Prime Minister firmly reiterated that India will not accept any external mediation in its dealings with Pakistan, emphasizing the bipartisan political consensus on this issue in India.
Misri added that President Trump comprehended the situation after hearing the Prime Minister's explanation and expressed support for India's counter-terrorism efforts.
"Modi informed Trump that going forward, India will treat terrorism not as a proxy war but as an act of war, and Operation Sindoor remains ongoing," Misri stated.
Misri mentioned that PM Modi and President Trump had been scheduled to meet during the G-7 summit, but the meeting couldn't materialize due to the US President's early departure.
He noted that President Trump was insistent on speaking with PM Modi, which led to arranging the phone call.
PM Modi reminded President Trump that he had declared his determination to take action against terrorism following the Pahalgam attack.
The Prime Minister disclosed to President Trump that India had targeted terrorist installations inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan on the night of May 6-7.
He emphasized that India's actions were "measured, precise and non-escalatory."
PM Modi also informed President Trump about his declaration that "bullets from Pakistan would be responded with cannon balls" (goli ka jawab gole se diya jayega).
Misri revealed that the Prime Minister told President Trump about receiving a call from US Vice President J D Vance on May 9, warning of a "big strike" by Pakistan.
Modi had clearly told Vance that if Pakistan proceeded with such an action, India would respond with even greater force.
According to Misri, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi also discussed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran during their conversation.
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, both leaders agreed that direct negotiations between the involved parties are essential for achieving peace promptly, and efforts toward this objective should continue.
On matters concerning the Indo-Pacific region, President Trump and PM Modi shared their perspectives and expressed support for the QUAD's significant role in the area.
Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to President Trump to visit India for the next QUAD meeting, Misri noted, adding that the US President accepted the invitation and expressed eagerness to visit India.