Trump and Modi stress need to keep Strait of Hormuz open in call
US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands, at the White House in Washington, DC, US, February 13, 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS
United States President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure in a call on Tuesday, Modi said in a post on X.
The call between the two leaders lasted nearly 40 minutes, Indian media, which first reported the call, said.
"Received a call from my friend, President Donald Trump. We reviewed the substantial progress achieved in our bilateral cooperation in various sectors," Modi said on X.
Received a call from my friend President Donald 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…
“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 added.
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The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted sectors from air travel to shipping and gas supplies, including the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a conduit for 40% of India's crude oil imports.
A White House official confirmed the call took place but did not comment further.
Both leaders also spoke on the phone on March 24 to discuss the situation in the Middle East and fragile peace efforts.
This was the first call since a two-week ceasefire was announced on April 8 between Iran and the US, following the US-Israeli offensive on Iran that has killed more than 3,300 people since February 28.
Washington and Tehran failed to reach an agreement in Islamabad over the weekend during talks that were part of broader efforts to end the conflict.
Later, Trump announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which took effect at 1400GMT Monday.