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Despite PM Modi's clear message, Trump repeats claim he ‘stopped' India-Pakistan war
Hours after PM Modi told Trump during a 35-minute phone call that the US had no role in the India-Pakistan ceasefire, Trump on Wednesday repeated his claim that he was responsible for ending the conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours read more
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the East Room of the White House. AP File
Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Donald Trump during a 35-minute phone call that the US had no role in the India-Pakistan ceasefire, Trump on Wednesday repeated his claim that he was responsible for ending the conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Addressing reporters outside the White House on Wednesday, Trump said, 'I stopped the war between India and Pakistan. I love Pakistan, and Modi is a fantastic man."
VIDEO | Washington DC: On being asked about his meeting with Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir, US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) says, "I stopped the war between India and Pakistan. I love Pakistan, and Modi is a fantastic man. I spoke to him last night and we will make a trade… pic.twitter.com/iFfXeaRDy1 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 18, 2025
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Trump also referred to plans for a trade agreement with India, saying, 'I spoke to him last night and we will make a trade deal with Modi of India."
He also praised PM Modi and Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir for being extremely influential in stopping the war.
'This man (Asim Munir) was extremely influential in stopping it from the Pakistani side and PM Modi from the Indian side. They (India and Pakistan) were going at it, and both are nuclear countries. I stopped a war between two major nations,' he added.
Trump's remarks came after PM Modi told Trump 'clearly' that during 'Operation Sindoor' there were no discussions at any level on India-US trade deal or any mediation by the US for ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
In a video posted on X, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that PM Modi firmly told President Trump during a 35-minute phone call that India has 'never accepted mediation, does not accept it, and will never accept it.' He added that there is complete political unanimity on this position within India.
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The call came just hours before Trump was scheduled to meet Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, over lunch at the White House.
Misri noted that Modi clarified the recent ceasefire with Pakistan was achieved through direct military-to-military talks at Islamabad's request and via established channels between the two armies — not through any external intervention.
Tensions had escalated following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. India responded with airstrikes on May 7 targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan attempted retaliatory strikes on May 8, 9, and 10, to which India responded forcefully. Ceasefire talks followed shortly after.
Modi also told Trump that India now considers terrorist attacks as acts of war, not mere proxy operations. Misri said Trump acknowledged Modi's position and expressed support for India's counter-terrorism efforts.
Despite Modi's clarification, Trump reiterated on Wednesday that he 'settled' the conflict between India and Pakistan — a claim he's made multiple times. In May, he said, 'We settled that whole thing through trade,' and implied the US intervention stopped further escalation.
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India has consistently denied any third-party role in the ceasefire. Trump's repeated claims have triggered political backlash in India, with opposition leaders questioning Modi's silence. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor previously stated that mediation is meaningless between 'terrorists and their victims.'
Misri also said that Trump invited Modi to meet during his upcoming US visit, but the Prime Minister declined due to prior commitments. Both leaders agreed to meet at a later date.
With inputs from agencies
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