Prime Minister Narendra Modi firmly rejected any possibility of third-party mediation on Kashmir during a phone call with US President Donald Trump, reaffirming India’s long-standing position that the issue is strictly bilateral. The 35-minute conversation, held late Tuesday, covered a range of global matters including the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, Russia-Ukraine war, and India’s strategic engagements in the Indo-Pacific. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that Modi clearly told Trump, “India has never accepted mediation on Kashmir and never will,” marking a strong diplomatic response to recent suggestions of US involvement.

This phone call came after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which had heightened regional tensions. Modi also briefed Trump on Operation Sindoor, India’s targeted military strikes against terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Misri clarified that India’s response was precise and restrained, and the decision to pause the strikes was taken solely after Pakistan’s formal request via military channels. “There was no US role in brokering any ceasefire,” he emphasized, dismissing Trump’s earlier remarks implying US intervention.

Beyond Kashmir, Modi and Trump discussed broader security challenges and regional cooperation. Modi extended an invitation to Trump for the upcoming Quad Summit in India. The conversation echoed Modi’s earlier remarks at the G7 Outreach Session in Canada, where he urged unified global action against terrorism and denounced selective global responses. He reiterated that India now views terrorism as acts of war rather than proxy attacks. The call concluded with both leaders agreeing to continue strategic consultations, especially as the Middle East crisis and South Asian tensions continue to unfold.