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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told U.S. President Donald Trump that India does not support third-party mediation in its relations with Pakistan, following Trump's statement about helping the two South Asian nations resolve the Kashmir issue.
Modi also emphasized that the United States played no part in India’s recent ceasefire agreement with Pakistan.
According to Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed India’s stance to Trump during a 35-minute phone call.
In a video statement aired by state broadcaster DD News, Misri stated that Modi made it clear India has "never accepted third-party mediation" in its dispute with Pakistan and has no intention of doing so in the future.
The 1972 Simla Pact commits India and Pakistan to resolving their disputes through bilateral negotiations.
Amid heightened tensions last month following the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, Trump claimed on May 10 that Washington had helped broker a cease-fire.
He stated that through trade measures and direct diplomacy, the U.S. had averted a possible nuclear conflict between the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbors.
The cease-fire remains in place, but Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the United States played no role in facilitating talks with Pakistan.
Modi stated that the agreement was reached through existing military communication channels and was initiated "at Pakistan’s request."
Foreign Secretary Misri added that there were "no discussions regarding a trade agreement between India and the U.S., nor any talk of mediation between India and Pakistan."
Modi also conveyed to Trump that India now considers terrorist attacks not as proxy conflicts but as direct acts of war, according to Misri.
As of the time of reporting, Islamabad had not issued an official response to Modi’s conversation with Trump.
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