India denies Trump’s claim that he spoke to Modi about border tensions with China
- US President Donald Trump said he had a phone conversation with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi – but India said no such call took place
- Trump offered to mediate in India’s border stand-off with China, but New Delhi said it was in touch with Beijing using diplomatic channels
Trump, who reiterated his offer to mediate between New Delhi and Beijing over the rising temperatures at their border, told a reporter in Washington on Thursday that he spoke to Modi. The Indian government says no such conversation took place.
“But I can tell you, I did speak to Prime Minister Modi. He’s not – he’s not in a good mood about what’s going on with China,” Trump said of his chat with the Indian leader.
When asked for details of the phone call, India’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday that Modi has not spoken to the US president since April 4 when the leaders discussed shipping hydroxychloroquine from India.
There has been no conversation around the recent border stand-off with China, and New Delhi was directly in touch with the Chinese government through established mechanisms and diplomatic contacts, the foreign ministry said.
On Friday, China’s foreign ministry said there was no need for a third party to mediate.