During his 35-miniute telephonic conversation with Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump inivted the Prime Minister to the US after his current visit to Canada for G7.
However, due to a pre-existing schedule, PM Modi was unable to accept the invitation. The two leaders agreed to meet in the near future, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. PM Modi has left for Croatia on Wednesday.
PM Modi also invited Trump to India for the next meeting of Quad. While accepting the invitation, President Trump said that he is excited to come to India, Misri said.
After the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, Trump had spoken with PM Modi over phone and expressed condolences and had also expressed support in fight against terrorism. After that conversation, this was the first time that the two leaders spoke.
The PM also told Trump that India's response had been "measured" and it targeted only terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pak-occupied Kashmir. The PM then also underlined India's position on third-party mediation - that it is neither wanted nor needed - and that this has always been the case.
PM Modi also reiterated that India has never accepted third-party mediation and will not accept such mediation in the future. “PM Modi told President Trump clearly that during this entire series of incidents, never was talks held at any level on India-America trade deal and mediation between India and Pakistan by America. The talks regarding cessation of military action was held directly between India and Pakistan under the existing channels established between both militaries, it was done at Pakistan's request.” Misri was heard saying in the video shared by Doordarshan.
Trump had earlier claimed to have mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following India's Operation Sindoor. According to Misri, PM Modi also said that talks on halting military action were held directly between India and Pakistan, through the existing channels of both the armies and at the request of Islamabad.
PM Modi also made it clear that India will respond to Pakistan's bullet with a bullet. He said that terrorism is now seen as a war, and "not a proxy war", and that Operation Sindoor has not concluded.
Meanwhile, PM Modi had no opportunity to push for a US trade deal withTrump after the American president left the Group of Seven leaders’ summit early.
A Trump-Modi meeting was widely expected to take place this week to give much-needed political direction to trade negotiators as they race to conclude a deal ahead of a July 9 deadline when higher US tariffs take effect.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
