Rama Krishna Sangem
This one bold phone call from Primer Minister Narendra Modi to President Donald Trump that was aimed to reset India-US relations in the aftermath of recent military conflict with Pakistan. Modi made this call while Trump is on his way back home to White House, after cutting short of his G-7 summit meet at Kananaskies, Canada. The call lasted about 35 minutes as per our foreign secretary Vikram Misri.
Actually, Modi should have met and talked to Trump on the sidelines of G-7 meet in Canada only. But, this didn’t happen as Trump rushed back home citing his preoccupation with the Israel-Iran war. This phone call is described as bold because Modi chose to talk to Trump at the earliest to set record straight on two issues: One, to convey that India stopped Operation Sindoor not because of Trump’s mediation but due to a proposal from Pakistan itself.
Two, to tell Trump upfront that India expects America to treat Pakistan as a country that harbors on its soil terror groups that strike at India on and off. Of course, there is a third point, that is to invite Trump to New Delhi for Quad summit sometime in September. Trump agreed to come to India for the summit. Trump, in turn, invited Modi to visit While House enroute Canada to India. But, that couldn’t be possible, because Modi is not that much enthusiastic to make changes in his schedule.
Modi didn’t want to wait for time
Modi didn\t want to wait for time to put across his views on Trump’s claims on brokering a ceasefire between Indian and Pakistan. The PM wold have told the President the same, if they met at G-7 summit. As that didn’t happen, the next possible personal meet between them would have taken some weeks or even months. The only best alternative is to talk on phone. Modi utilized the opportunity now. Still, Trump continued to claim credit for the ceasefire even after Modi’s phone call. That’s different story.
