Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told US President Donald Trump that the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan was negotiated directly between the two rival countries, a senior Indian diplomat confirmed on Wednesday.
Trump had previously claimed that the two nuclear-armed neighbours ended a four-day conflict on May 10 following “a long night of talks mediated by the United States.”
This conflict, the worst since 1999, resulted in more than 70 fatalities caused by missile, drone, and artillery attacks on both sides.
Shortly after Trump announced the ceasefire on his Truth Social platform, officials from Islamabad and New Delhi confirmed the truce but clarified it was a bilateral agreement without US involvement.
Vikram Misri, India’s top career diplomat, said in a video statement that Modi and Trump spoke by phone after Trump left the G7 summit in Canada, which Modi had also attended.
“Prime Minister Modi informed President Trump that at no point during this entire episode was there any discussion about a US-India trade deal or any US mediation between India and Pakistan,” Misri said in Hindi.
He added that the decision to halt military actions was made directly by India and Pakistan through existing communication channels between their armed forces and was initiated at Pakistan’s request.
The last conversation between Modi and Trump came shortly after an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan, although Islamabad denied involvement.
Misri reiterated India’s longstanding position that it “does not and will never accept mediation” in disputes with Pakistan.
The Kashmir region, predominantly Muslim, is claimed entirely by both India and Pakistan, who have fought multiple wars over the territory since the partition of British India in 1947.
Misri also revealed that Trump accepted an invitation to visit India later this year for the next Quad alliance meeting, which includes Japan and Australia.
The discussions between Modi and Trump come during efforts by India to secure an interim trade agreement to protect itself from the worst effects of Trump’s planned reciprocal tariffs, set to take effect in July after a 90-day pause.
While India is not a major exporting nation, it recorded a $45.7 billion trade surplus with the US in 2024.
Industry experts warn that the tariffs could negatively affect India’s economy, with sectors such as gems and jewellery fearing significant job losses.
Over recent months, negotiators from both countries have conducted several rounds of talks, with US Vice President JD Vance announcing in April that the terms of reference for negotiations had been finalised.
