Prime Minister Narendra Modi has firmly pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump's claims that trade leverage was used to secure a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, declaring India has never accepted mediation and never will.

Modi and Trump Hold Tense 35-Minute Call

During a 35-minute phone call on Tuesday night—following the two leaders' missed meeting at the G7 in Canada—Modi clarified that no negotiations took place involving trade deals or U.S. mediation during last month’s India-Pakistan military escalation. India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the exchange, noting it was the first direct conversation since the four-day conflict.

“PM Modi clearly told President Trump that during this entire incident, at no time, at any level, were there any talks on issues like an India-U.S. trade deal or mediation between India and Pakistan,” Misri stated.

Ceasefire Came After Kashmir Attack

The military confrontation began on April 22 following a deadly attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir, which India labeled a terrorist act carried out by Pakistan-based groups. Islamabad denied the accusations. Despite Trump’s public assertions that his administration brokered a ceasefire using trade diplomacy, New Delhi has consistently dismissed such claims.

India maintains that formal dialogue with Pakistan is off the table unless Islamabad acts to prevent cross-border terrorism.

Diplomatic Divergence with Pakistan

While India rebuffed U.S. involvement, Pakistan has welcomed Washington’s role. Trump is expected to meet Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, at the White House—a move seen as reinforcing Islamabad’s narrative that U.S. diplomacy influenced the ceasefire.

Trump invited Modi to visit the U.S. following the G7, but Modi declined due to prior engagements in Croatia. However, Modi extended an invitation to Trump for the upcoming Quad summit in India, which the U.S. president has accepted.