Narendra Modi on Thursday (April 16) said he spoke with Emmanuel Macron over the phone to discuss the evolving situation in West Asia, stressing the urgent need to restore safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz amid conflict. The telephonic call was initiated by President Macron.
The conflict in West Asia has now stretched to nearly 50 days.
Macron dials PM Modi
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said both leaders agreed on the importance of ensuring stability in the region and maintaining secure maritime routes amid rising tensions. "Received a phone call from my dear friend, President Emmanuel Macron. We discussed the situation in West Asia and agreed on the need to urgently restore safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. We will continue our close cooperation to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond."
PM Modi, Trump hold 40-minute phone call
Earlier on April 14, PM Modi spoke with US President Donald Trump, and the phone call lasted for over 40 minutes, which marks the third call between the two leaders this year. US Ambassador Gor said that PM Modi and US President Trump discussed the issue of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. "I just want you to know we all love you," Trump tells PM Modi, according to US envoy Sergio Gor.
Moreover, this was also the first phone call between the two leaders since the US-Iran ceasefire, but it is not exactly known what was discussed. "Some big-ticket deals, including on energy, are expected between India and the US in the next few days and weeks," US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said.
PM Modi confirmed the phone call from Trump and said both leaders reviewed the substantial progress achieved in bilateral cooperation in various sectors and are committed to further strengthening the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in all areas. "Received a call from my friend, President Trump. We reviewed the substantial progress achieved in our bilateral cooperation in various sectors. We are committed to further strengthening our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in all areas. We also discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure," he said in a post.
India maintained de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy
India has consistently maintained that de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy are the way forward to bring the conflict in West Asia to an end.
At an inter-ministerial briefing on the West Asia situation on Wednesday, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal, had said that India's diplomatic engagement in the context of the conflict continues.
PM Modi has spoken with several global leaders since the conflict began on February 28, when the United States–Israel combine carried out military strikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran on Gulf nations hosting American bases.
Amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, India on Wednesday strongly advocated for the safe and unhindered movement of merchant vessels. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that attacks on commercial shipping were "completely unacceptable."
Global oil and gas prices have surged after Iran restricted maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that handles nearly 20% of global oil and LNG trade.