NEW YORK: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reported to have turned down a request from former U.S. President Donald Trump to support his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. The New York Times claimed the episode left Trump displeased and contributed to Washington’s decision to impose higher tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian oil.

According to the report, the request was made during a phone call on June 17, when Trump asserted that his intervention had helped ease tensions between India and Pakistan. Modi is said to have firmly rejected the idea, reiterating that India has never accepted and will never accept third-party mediation on the Pakistan issue. India has not officially commented on the report.

It has previously been confirmed that the leaders did speak on June 17, and that Modi dismissed Trump’s claim of mediation. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir attended a White House dinner hosted by Trump around the same time. Soon after, Pakistan nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, crediting him with playing a role in reducing tensions with India.