India ‘will never accept’ third-party mediation on Kashmir - Modi to Trump

India will never accept mediation to resolve its dispute with Islamabad over Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told US President Donald Trump. New Delhi’s long-stated position on bilateral issues was reaffirmed by Modi in a 35-minute telephone conversation with Trump on Tuesday, following the US president’s unscheduled early exit from the G7 summit in Canada.

“PM Modi stressed India has never accepted mediation, does not accept and will never accept it,” Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at a press briefing on Wednesday. “There is complete political unanimity in India on this,” Misri added.

During the call, which the Indian foreign secretary said was initiated by the Americans, Trump invited Modi to visit the US after attending the G7 Summit. However, due to prior commitments, the Indian leader had to decline the invitation, Misri added. 

India’s statements rejecting mediation come in the wake of last month’s military conflict between the South Asian neighbors.

On May 7, India struck suspected terrorist facilities in Pakistan-controlled territory in response to a terror attack (blamed on Islamabad) in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir in April. Pakistan retaliated to the Indian strikes and a confrontation ensued till a ceasefire was announced on May 10.

Trump took credit for the ceasefire, a claim which he has since made repeatedly. New Delhi has refuted the US president’s claim. The phone call between Modi and Trump on Tuesday, takes on added significance in light of a confirmed lunch meeting on Wednesday between the US president and Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, who is currently visiting the US.

After the ceasefire was announced by the two South Asian neighbors in May, Trump said that he used “trade” as a bargaining chip to broker peace. Modi clarified in the Tuesday call with Trump that the potential India-US trade deal had no role to play in the ceasefire, Misri added.