Modi makes India’s stance on terrorism clear in conversation with Trump

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he declined an invitation by US President Donald Trump to visit Washington, on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada earlier this week, since he were to travel to Odisha.Addressing the public at the Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar, Modi said that it was important for him to be at Maha Prabhu’s dharti “Trump called me during my visit to Canada for G7. He asked me to visit Washington since I was on the continent. However, I told him it was important for me to be at ‘Maha Prabhu’s dharti’, declined the invite, and came here (Odisha) instead of travelling to America,” Modi said.The Prime Minister delivered the remarks after inaugurating 105 projects worth Rs 18,600 crores for the state, which also observed a year since the formation of the BJP government.”Odisha is not just a state, but a shining star of India’s heritage. For years, Odisha has enriched India’s culture and heritage. That’s why Odisha’s role has increased as the mantra of development and heritage has become the basis of India’s progress,” Modi added.The Prime Minister, who was scheduled to meet US President and counterpart Trump on the sidelines of the G7, could not do so as Trump rushed back to Washington owing to the Israel-Iran conflict in West Asia.Previously this week, Prime Minister Modi had held a 35-minute phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, during which the two leaders discussed regional security and deepened strategic cooperation.It was during this conversation that Trump invited Modi to visit the United States following his trip to Canada for the Summit. However, due to prior commitments, Modi could not accept the invitation.”The two leaders agreed to meet at a mutually convenient date in the near future,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Modi then since departed for Croatia.Modi, in turn, extended an invitation to Trump to visit India for the next Quad summit. Trump accepted the invite and said he was “excited to come to India,” Misri added.A key part of the discussion was Operation Sindoor. This was the first time Modi and Trump spoke since the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed several Indian civilians and prompted a strong retaliatory response from India.During the call, Modi provided Trump with a detailed briefing on Operation Sindoor, clarifying that no trade-related issues were discussed in connection with the military action. He reaffirmed India’s long-standing position against third-party mediation, stressing that New Delhi has never accepted—and will never accept—external intervention in its bilateral matters.Significantly, Modi also conveyed a shift in India’s posture on cross-border terrorism. He stated that acts of terror would no longer be seen merely as proxy warfare but would now be treated as acts of war.Trump had earlier called Modi in April to express condolences over the Pahalgam attack and reiterated US support in India’s fight against terrorism.