'Avoid war with Pakistan:' Trump tells Modi on phone call

US President Donald Trump said that he held a productive conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and emphasised his own efforts to maintain peace between Pakistan and India.

Speaking from the Oval Office during Diwali celebrations, Trump expressed warm wishes to the people of India and highlighted his long-standing friendship with Modi.

He said their discussion primarily focused on trade and energy, but also touched on preventing military conflict in South Asia.

Trump added that his discussion with PM Modi also touched on regional peace. "We have no war with Pakistan and India. And that was a very, very good thing," Trump said.

Trump claimed that he had played a critical role in defusing tensions between Pakistan and India, citing the military conflict in May when he intervened diplomatically to prevent a war.

According to him, he warned both nations that continued aggression could result in the United States halting trade with them. He credited this trade pressure, along with diplomacy, for averting escalation, claiming that both countries chose dialogue over conflict within 24 hours of his intervention.

Referencing the May conflict between Pakistan and India, triggered by an attack in Pahalgam, Trump reiterated that his diplomatic engagement helped de-escalate the situation.

The confrontation, marked by cross-border military actions, resulted in the downing of several Indian fighter jets by Pakistan in Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos. The conflict, which lasted over three days, ended on May 10 with a US-brokered ceasefire.

Trump also mentioned that energy policy was part of his dialogue with Modi, stating that the Indian leader committed to limiting oil imports from Russia. Trump welcomed this move, aligning it with broader efforts to bring the war in Ukraine to an end. India, along with China, remains one of the largest importers of Russian seaborne crude oil.

Trump went on to praise Prime Minister Modi, calling him a “great person” and a “great friend”, and spoke about their long relationship.

However, Modi turned to X to express his gratitude towards Trump.

“Thank you, President Trump, for your phone call and warm Diwali greetings. On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope and stand united against terrorism in all its forms.” Modi replied.