During a parliamentary discussion on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar firmly dismissed claims of any communication between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump between April 22 and June 17.
Addressing the Lok Sabha on Monday, Jaishankar responded to opposition queries and international speculation—particularly Trump’s claim that Washington had played a role in mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, possibly using trade incentives as leverage.
“I want to make two things absolutely clear,” Jaishankar said. “First, at no point in any conversation with the United States was there any connection between trade talks and the military situation. Second, there was no phone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump during the critical period—neither after April 22, when Trump called to express sympathy, nor until June 17, when he phoned again while the Prime Minister was in Canada.”
Jaishankar also used the opportunity to criticize the opposition, accusing previous governments of inaction in the face of terrorism. “When did you ever consider such a decisive response during your time in power?” he asked. “In fact, you ruled it out for 26 years.”
He emphasized that India’s objectives behind Operation Sindoor were clear and deliberate. “We wanted to send a strong message—to the terrorists and to Pakistan—that continued support for terrorism will not be tolerated. On the morning of May 7, that message was delivered loud and clear.”
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians lost their lives. The military strikes led to a sharp escalation in tensions with Pakistan, which retaliated with drones and missile attacks—none of which inflicted significant damage, according to Indian officials.
Jaishankar’s statements underscore the government’s assertion that India acted independently and resolutely, with no foreign mediation or interference in its strategic decisions.
