Modi denies US mediation in India-Pakistan ceasefire

Wednesday 18 June 2025 - 13:33

By: Zahouani Ilham

Modi denies US mediation in India-Pakistan ceasefire

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has firmly informed US President Donald Trump that the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan was achieved through direct military discussions between the two countries, without any intervention from the United States, according to a senior Indian diplomat.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Modi made it clear to Trump that there were no discussions concerning a trade agreement or US mediation related to the India-Pakistan conflict during that period. The ceasefire, he emphasized, was the result of communications through pre-existing military channels and occurred at Pakistan’s request.

Misri noted that the two leaders spoke via telephone on Tuesday evening following their inability to meet during the G7 summit in Canada. The 35-minute conversation was initiated by Trump.

Previously, Trump claimed the ceasefire was the result of US-facilitated negotiations, suggesting that his encouragement for both nations to focus on economic cooperation played a role in de-escalating tensions. However, New Delhi has rejected this claim, reaffirming its longstanding position of opposing third-party mediation in its disputes with Pakistan.

Pakistan, for its part, had stated that the truce followed a call initiated by India’s military on May 7. Pakistan's Foreign Minister had also rejected assertions of Washington’s involvement, insisting that Islamabad acted independently in restoring calm.

The conflict was sparked by an April 22 attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 civilians—mostly tourists—lost their lives. India accused Pakistan-supported militants of orchestrating the attack, an allegation that Pakistan denied.

Subsequently, India launched missile strikes on May 7 targeting various sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Over the following three days, both sides engaged in intense artillery and aerial exchanges, including attacks on airbases.

Pakistan reported that at least 51 individuals, including 11 soldiers and several children, were killed due to Indian strikes. On the Indian side, at least five service members were reported dead during “Operation Sindoor,” the name given to the cross-border offensive.

During their conversation, Trump expressed his support for India’s stance against terrorism, according to Misri.