Trump Invited PM Modi to the U.S., Confirms Foreign Secretary Misri

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced on Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington after his visit to Canada.

In a 35-minute telephone conversation between the two leaders, Misri said, "President Trump requested if PM Modi could make a stopover in the US while coming back from Canada, but the Prime Minister conveyed his inability as he has prior commitments. But the two leaders committed to attempt to meet soon."

Their conversation also touched upon the Indo-Pacific and the strategic value of the QUAD alliance. "Prime Minister Modi invited President Trump to India for the next QUAD summit, and President Trump accepted the invitation," Misri affirmed.

Another key aspect of the call was India's strong assertion on third-party mediation in issues concerning Pakistan. PM Modi clearly stated that India does not desire nor will ever agree to mediation on its bilateral issues with Pakistan.

The phone call was the first encounter between the two leaders after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and India's retaliatory military action under Operation Sindoor.

The talks were initiated by a lost chance at an in-person meeting during the G7 Summit, which was cancelled because of President Trump's premature exit from the summit grounds.

"President Trump initiated the telephone call on his own initiative," Misri said, pointing out that PM Modi seized the moment to lay out India's measured and focused reaction to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists. The terror attack was claimed by The Resistance Front, which is associated with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Describing India’s military action, Misri said, “Prime Minister Modi said that on the night of May 6-7, India had targeted only terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India’s actions were very measured, precise, and non-escalatory.”

He further quoted PM Modi’s assertive stance: “India had made it clear that it would respond to Pakistan’s ‘goli’ with ‘gola’ (a strong, proportionate military response).”

Operation Sindoor entailed raids on nine important terrorist infrastructure targets in Pakistan and PoK. Pakistan responded not only by attacking Indian military installations but also by attacking civilian and religious targets, triggering higher tensions.

Misri further revealed that U.S. Vice President Vance had informed PM Modi on the evening of May 9 of the threat of a massive Pakistani counterattack.

Prime Minister Modi informed about it in very stern words that he will retaliate even more forcefully if this occurs. India's powerful retaliatory strike of the night of May 9-10 inflicted massive damage on Pakistan's armed forces. Multiple airbases of theirs were put out of commission," Misri added.

After the heavy exchange, Pakistan is said to have approached India requesting a ceasefire.

As reported by Misri, PM Modi made it clear that the ceasefire had been accepted only at Pakistan's behest and not because of any third-party mediation. "He clarified that never at any time in this episode were India-US trade negotiations or third-party facilitation on the agenda."

He reiterated that the de-escalation was being achieved directly through bilateral military channels alone between the two countries.

"Prime Minister Modi emphasized India has never accepted mediation, does not accept it and will never accept it. There is Indian political consensus on this matter," Misri reiterated.

President Trump, according to Misri, recognized India's stand and expressed solidarity with its anti-terror operations. PM Modi also apprised him that any future terror attack emanating from Pakistan would be dealt as an act of war by India, and that Operation Sindoor continues.

The leaders also exchanged views on key global issues, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the Iran-Israel conflict, agreeing that direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv remain essential for lasting peace.