PM Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump held a 35-minute phone conversation earlier this week, discussing India’s recent military action against terrorist infrastructure across the Line of Control in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The operation, dubbed Operation Sindoor, was launched against terror launch pads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The call, confirmed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, came after a scheduled bilateral meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 Summit was cancelled due to President Trump’s early return to the US The phone discussion was initiated at Trump’s request.
During the conversation, PM Modi provided a detailed account of Operation Sindoor, emphasizing that India’s response was “measured, precise, and non-escalatory.” He underscored that India had targeted only terror camps and not civilian or military infrastructure and reiterated India’s firm stance on responding to terrorism with decisive force.
“During the discussion, PM Modi briefed President Trump about Operation Sindoor. PM Modi clarified that no topics related to trade were discussed in connection with Operation Sindoor. He also reiterated that India has never accepted third-party mediation and will not accept such mediation in the future,” Misri said.
He added, “Furthermore, PM Modi emphasized that India will now treat acts of terrorism not as proxy actions but as acts of war. President Trump invited PM Modi to meet during his current visit to the USA, but due to a pre-existing schedule, PM Modi was unable to accept the invitation. Both leaders agreed to meet in the near future.”
The Pahalgam attack on April 22, which claimed the lives of several Indian security personnel, marked a turning point, with India vowing to respond strongly to cross-border terrorism. Operation Sindoor, launched on the night of May 6-7, targeted multiple terror bases. PM Modi told President Trump that India had clearly communicated its intent to the world — that it would no longer tolerate terrorism masquerading as proxy warfare.
According to Misri, President Trump had earlier called Modi to express condolences following the Pahalgam attack, and this latest call was the first extensive conversation since that event.
“PM Modi told President Trump clearly that during this entire series of incidents, never were 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 were held directly between India and Pakistan under the existing channels established between both militaries, it was done at Pakistan’s request,” Misri said.
The leaders also touched upon broader global issues, including the conflict between Iran and Israel and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Both agreed that direct negotiations are key to restoring peace between Moscow and Kyiv.
The Indo-Pacific region and the importance of the QUAD alliance were also on the agenda. PM Modi extended an invitation to Trump to visit India for the next QUAD meeting, which Trump said he was keen to attend.
