Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi dodged an invitation from United States (US) President Donald Trump to visit the White House in June, wary that the latter would set up a meeting with the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, Bloomberg reported on Friday.

 

The meeting between the COAS and the US president took place on June 18 at the White House over lunch, and following the meeting, Trump said that he was “honoured” to meet the General. 

 

The Indian premier was reportedly returning from Canada after attending the G7 summit when he was invited to visit the White House, an invitation Modi had refused citing his scheduled visit to Croatia.

 

Quoting officials in New Delhi, the outlet reported that tensions between the two countries intensified following a 35-minute phone call between the US president and Modi that took place on June 17.

 

During the call, Trump repeatedly claimed credit for the ceasefire brokered by the US between Pakistan and India on May 10; however, India downplayed the matter.

 

After the ceasefire, Islamabad extended thanks to Trump, acknowledging his role in brokering the ceasefire between the two countries. Later, Islamabad also nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Conversely, India objected to Trump’s role in the cessation of hostilities between two countries that erupted after New Delhi launched illegitimate strikes on the night of May 6-7, targeting civilians in Pakistan in response to the April 22 Pahalgam militant attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that killed 26 civilians.

 

The relationship between New Delhi and Washington, DC appears to have nosedived after Trump imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods in the US, bringing the total to 50 percent.

 

In an executive order issued from the White House, Trump said, “I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil.”

 

“Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25pc.”

 

In a statement issued on X (formerly Twitter), later in the day, India declared Trump’s decision “extremely unfortunate”, adding that New Delhi would take all actions necessary to protect its national interests. 

 

“We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” it said.