PM Modi fact-checks Trump, the only way it could have been done
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday told US President Donald Trump that India has never accepted mediation, does not accept it, and will never do so in the future.In doing so, PM Modi firmly nullified Trump's repeated, unsubstantiated, and seemingly fictional claims of mediating the India-Pakistan ceasefire during the May flare-up.The one-on-one discussion also appeared to be the most appropriate channel to refute the claims made by the US.advertisement
Being candid is never easy, not even with friends or colleagues. That's why the Prime Minister's message directly to the President of the US is notable, particularly when the recipient is someone as famously blunt and uncouth as Donald Trump.One must also note that diplomatic norms rarely see friendly nations publicly accusing each other of dishonesty or lies. Had PM Modi chosen to respond via social media, as Trump often does, it would have been perceived as a pointed snub. Unlike Trump, Modi avoided the "fastest finger first" approach, opting for a more measured and statesmanlike path.There was domestic political pressure, too. The Opposition demanded clarification on the US's repeated assertions — perhaps fair, given the US's persistence — but it might have been a major diplomatic blunder for the PM to issue an official statement declaring the ceasefire a strictly bilateral issue, with no involvement of the US.advertisementThere have been instances when heads of state have commented on each other's policies, actions, or interventions, often with negative repercussions. For example, in 2002, former French President Jacques Chirac's opposition to the US invasion of Iraq caused strained Franco-American relations.Similarly, in 2013, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel's criticism of US surveillance policies during the Obama administration also created temporary frostiness between the US and Germany, despite their strategic alliance.Now that the Prime Minister, whom Trump calls his 'friend', has delivered a firm rebuttal, there is little left to debate.The two leaders were scheduled to meet at the G7 Summit in Alberta, Canada, but ended up speaking on the phone for about 35 minutes on Wednesday after Trump's visit was cut short due to the Iran-Israel conflict.Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated in a media briefing on Wednesday that Trump invited Modi to visit the US on his return journey from Canada. However, Modi declined due to prior commitments. In turn, the Prime Minister invited Trump to visit India for the upcoming Quad Summit, likely later this year.Even as he rejected the US's claims, he simultaneously opened the door to future cooperation by inviting Trump to a strategic meeting — a deft diplomatic move.advertisementThe development coincides with Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir's lunch meeting with Trump in a closed-door session, where the media isn't allowed.Modi's rebuttal of Trump's mediation claims also highlights the transparent diplomatic relationship between the US and India — as opposed to Pakistan's more opaque dealings with Washington. Pakistan has historically leveraged such ambiguity to manufacture false narratives and perceived international consensus.The timing is also notable: India made the two leaders' conversation public just before the very unpredictable duo — Trump and Munir — are set to meet. Modi's firm stance could preempt any emerging claims and blunt Pakistan's backchannel diplomacy.It's also worth noting that Pakistan attempted to spin a narrative claiming Asim Munir was invited to the US's Army Day Parade. In reality, there was no official confirmation of his visit until his arrival in the US — where he was met by protests from Pakistani-Americans outside his Washington, DC, hotel over Pakistan's military rule.In a few hours from now, Trump will host Munir for dinner.The meal may be sumptuous, but given their proclivity for economising with the truth, it's quite possible that both of them will reiterate their falsehoods and once again contradict India. But you know, social has nothing to do with truth. Especially Truth Social.Must Watch
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