Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has firmly denied claims made by former US President Donald Trump that Washington brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following their brief military standoff in May.
In a 35-minute phone call initiated by Trump during the G7 summit in Canada, Modi clarified that the de-escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours was not the result of US mediation. According to Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Modi stated unequivocally that “at no stage were subjects like a US-India trade deal or mediation between India and Pakistan discussed.”
Instead, Modi asserted that the ceasefire was achieved through direct military-to-military communication between New Delhi and Islamabad — and specifically at Pakistan’s request. He reiterated that India has a consistent policy of rejecting third-party mediation in its bilateral issues with Pakistan.
Trump had previously claimed that the ceasefire came after his personal intervention, urging both countries to pursue trade instead of conflict. However, Modi’s office has dismissed this narrative, emphasizing that India resolved the matter independently.
The White House has not issued any immediate statement in response to India’s clarification. Pakistan, for its part, has acknowledged that its military responded to an Indian call on May 7, leading to the de-escalation — a version that contradicts Trump’s earlier assertions of playing peacemaker.
The diplomatic exchange highlights the sensitivity surrounding the India-Pakistan dynamic, and the reluctance of both countries — particularly India — to allow external powers to insert themselves into South Asian security affairs.
