US President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to discuss the West Asia crisis, including efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and review bilateral cooperation in various sectors, with US Ambassador Sergio Gore saying there were several “big” deals in the pipeline between the two sides.
It was the third phone call this year between the two leaders, who previously spoke about a bilateral trade agreement in February and the conflict in West Asia last month. India has pushed for a return to dialogue and diplomacy to end the war, which has affected energy supplies and other key goods such as fertilizer due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. “I received a phone call from my friend President Donald Trump. We reviewed the significant progress achieved in our bilateral cooperation in various sectors. We are committed to further strengthening our comprehensive global strategic partnership in all areas,” Modi said on social media after the call.
He added: “We also discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and safe.”
Shortly after the phone call, which lasted about 40 minutes, Gore, a close aide to Trump, told a small group of reporters that the president gave Modi an update on the situation in West Asia, especially efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He stressed that Iran is holding the entire world “hostage” by closing the waterway, and all countries, including India, will benefit from its reopening.
They talked about the siege and its importance [the strait] Reopening as soon as possible. Frankly, this entire region, this entire world is suffering because of it. Why should one country be able to turn off the lights anywhere else in the world? “It is unfair, it must stop, and the United States is determined to make it happen.”
Asked whether the US had requested India’s help to reopen the waterway, he replied: “I don’t want to say we asked for help, but it was just an update call.”
Gore said that it is India that decides whether to play a role in negotiations to end the war in West Asia, although the United States believes that “many other countries” could participate in the process. His comments came against the backdrop of Pakistan mediating the first direct talks between Iran and the United States in 47 years over the weekend, although the negotiations ended without any progress. “Right now, there is only one country holding the Strait of Hormuz hostage. So, of course, we welcome all parties to encourage its reopening. These are international waters. No country should be able to… blockade the entire world.”
In the bilateral context, Gore said the two sides discussed several “big items”, including an energy agreement, which is expected to be finalized in time for US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India in May. He also said that the United States looks forward to the Quad foreign ministers meeting during this visit.
Gore responded to a specific question about whether the stalled bilateral trade deal figured in the conversation between Trump and Modi by saying that the discussions “focused on several big items” that would be announced “over the next few days or the next few weeks.”
“We already have some amazing deals that we hope to close in time for[SecretaryRubio’svisitattheendofMay”Goresaid“Intermsofsomeofthedealsthatmightbeannouncedsoonitwillbeenergy-relateditwillbeenergy-relateditwillberelatedtosomeotheritemsbutstaytuned”[secretaryofstateRubio’svisitattheendofMay”Gorsaid“Intermsofsomeofthedealsthatmightgetannouncedsoonit’llberelatedtoenergyit’llberelatedtosomeotheritemsbutstaytuned”
Gore did not elaborate on Trump’s possible visit to India or the much-delayed Quad leaders’ summit, saying only that the focus was on Rubio’s visit. “India is vitally important to us. It’s an incredible partner. The President has an amazing relationship with your Prime Minister… If you look at Secretary Rubio, he doesn’t travel a lot because he works full-time in the White House. So the fact that he’s coming here shows the level of importance that the United States places on India,” he said.
Asked about India’s exemption from US sanctions on purchases of Russian oil and operations in Iran’s Chabahar port, which is set to expire this month, Gaur said: “I don’t want to give anything away prematurely, but obviously at some point decisions will be made on that.”
Gore also said Trump ended the call with Modi by saying: “I just want you to know that we all love you.”
India and the United States are currently rebuilding their relations after a period of unprecedented tensions last year due to Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian exports, including a 25% tax on Russian energy purchases. The tariffs were reduced after Trump and Modi announced progress toward a bilateral trade agreement in February.
