US President Donald Trump on Thursday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “friend” and said the two leaders had a “very good” conversation as diplomatic contacts intensify across West Asia amid ongoing conflict and ceasefire efforts.
In response to Ani’s question about his conversation with Prime Minister Modi, US President Trump said: “I had a very good conversation with him. He is a friend of mine from India, and he is doing great. We had a very good conversation.”
These statements come days after Prime Minister Modi confirmed that he received a phone call from President Trump, during which the two leaders reviewed the situation in West Asia and discussed key strategic concerns, including maritime security.
“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,” Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X.
He also noted that the leaders discussed regional security challenges, including the need to ensure stability in vital sea routes.
The Prime Minister added: “We also discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and safe.”
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Trump announced Thursday that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, a truce that could bolster attempts to extend a ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel after weeks of devastating war.
Israel was not fighting Lebanon itself, but rather with the Iranian-backed armed group Hezbollah inside Lebanon. Hezbollah said in a statement, “Any ceasefire must be comprehensive across all Lebanese territory, and the Israeli enemy must not be allowed any freedom of movement.”
Read also | Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel: “It is an honor for me to resolve the tenth war”
The ceasefire will begin at 5 p.m. EST on Thursday. About 2,200 people were killed in Lebanon in Israeli air strikes.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s army chief met Iranian officials in Tehran on Thursday in a bid to ease tensions in the Middle East and arrange a second round of negotiations between the US and Iran after nearly seven weeks of war.
