New Delhi, July 30, 2025
“kaan kholke sun le”
Jaishankar Denies Trump-Modi Phone Call During Sindoor Operation Window
— External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar strongly dismissed claims of any phone communication between U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a critical two-month period earlier this year. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during a discussion on Operation Sindoor, Jaishankar categorically stated that no phone call took place between the two leaders from April 22 to June 16.
“I want to tell them to listen carefully: from April 22 to June 16, not a single phone call took place between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi,” Jaishankar asserted, using the Hindi phrase “kaan kholke sun le” to stress his point. His comment was directed at opposition leaders who had raised concerns about possible foreign involvement or mediation efforts related to India’s military actions during the period.
Firm Rejection of Third-Party Mediation
Jaishankar reiterated India’s unwavering policy that all issues between India and Pakistan must be resolved bilaterally, without third-party intervention. The minister noted that during Operation Sindoor — a military response to cross-border hostilities — several nations reached out to India seeking updates and clarity on the situation.
He explained, “When Operation Sindoor commenced, a number of countries were in touch with us to see how serious the situation was and how long it would go. We gave the same message to all: that we were not open to any mediation. Anything between us and Pakistan will only be bilateral.”
Emphasising the formal channels through which Pakistan could seek de-escalation, Jaishankar stated, “If that fighting was to stop, Pakistan must make a request. And that request could only come through the channel of the DGMO (Director General of Military Operations).”
His comments reinforced India’s long-standing position that Kashmir and broader Indo-Pak relations are matters to be settled directly between the two neighbours — a stance that has often been reiterated at international forums.
Congress Under Fire for ‘Historical Amnesia’
The External Affairs Minister also took the opportunity to criticise the Congress party, accusing them of being selective in their recollection of history. He was responding to opposition commentary surrounding the Indus Water Treaty and India’s recent decision to suspend certain provisions of the agreement following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack.
Jaishankar pointed out the uniqueness of the Indus Water Treaty, highlighting how rare it is for a country to allow major rivers to flow into another nation without retaining control or rights over them.
“The Indus Water Treaty in many ways is a very unique agreement. I cannot think of any agreement in the world where a country has allowed its major rivers to flow to the next country without having rights on that river,” he remarked. He went on to say, “Yesterday, I heard some people are uncomfortable with history. They prefer that historical things be forgotten. Maybe it does not suit them — they only like to recall some things.”
The minister’s remarks appeared to be a direct rebuke of Congress leaders who questioned the government’s decision to place the treaty in abeyance. By invoking the origins and unusual nature of the treaty, Jaishankar sought to frame the decision as both justified and overdue.
Strategic Clarity and Political Messaging
Jaishankar’s statements in Parliament served a dual purpose: reaffirming India’s strategic and diplomatic clarity on sensitive issues, and placing the political opposition on the defensive. By addressing speculation surrounding a Trump-Modi phone call and reiterating India’s policy on bilateral dialogue, the government aimed to present a firm and consistent foreign policy posture.
At the same time, the critique of Congress was aimed at reshaping the narrative around historical decisions that continue to influence present-day policymaking. In connecting past agreements with contemporary security concerns, Jaishankar underscored the government’s view that a more assertive stance is not only warranted but necessary.
As tensions with Pakistan remain a persistent challenge, the External Affairs Minister’s speech outlined the parameters under which India intends to operate — diplomatically, militarily, and politically
