Strait of Hormuz security leads Trump–Modi call on West Asia crisis and India–US energy deals

US President Donald Trump spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for nearly 40 minutes on Tuesday. The leaders discussed the West Asia crisis and the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. The call came as global concern rose over the US naval blockade of Irans ports. Reports also suggested fresh Washington-Tehran talks after earlier talks collapsed in Islamabad.

Representative image

After the conversation, Modi said the two sides reviewed progress in India-US ties. Modi said both countries aim to deepen the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership. Modi also said the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and secure. The exchange marked the third phone call between the leaders this year.

India-US ties and big-ticket deals

Soon after the call, US envoy Sergio Gor briefed a small group of journalists. Gor said India and the US are likely to finalise some large agreements soon. Gor said these could be announced in the next few days and weeks. Gor did not share details, but mentioned energy among the areas involved.

Sources said Indian public sector companies in the energy sector may soon announce partnerships with American firms. Gor also described the broader relationship as stable. "We do have some big-ticket items that will be announced over the next few days or the next few weeks, and the relationship is on a firm footing. We will have something very interesting and exciting,\" he said.

Modi described the call in a social media post and referred to Trump as a friend. \"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,\" Modi said on social media.

Strait of Hormuz and West Asia crisis

Modi said the leaders also focused on tensions in West Asia and the shipping corridor. \"We also discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure,\" he said. Gor said Trump wanted to brief Modi on developments across the region.

Gor criticised Iran over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and linked them to energy costs. \"You have a nation that is holding the entire world hostage. These are international waterways. There are international treaties,\" the envoy said. \"Theres only one reason that prices of oil and gas have gone up and that is because somebody is holding this area hostage.\"

Gor said the US aims to restore shipping through the waterway and argued it would help India too. \"So obviously the United States wants to open this waterway. And so, I think it benefits the whole world, including here in India,\" he said. Gor also said the leaders discussed the US naval blockade of Irans ports.

Gor declined to comment on any new round of US-Iran talks after the Islamabad breakdown. \"Its not for me to announce any future talks. They did talk about the blockade and the importance of it reopening as soon as possible. Frankly, this whole region, the whole world is suffering because of this,\" he said.

Gor also quoted Trump’s message at the end of the call. The envoy said Trump told Modi that: \"I just want you to know we all love you,\" according to ambassador Gor. Gor added the US wanted the disruption to end. \"Why should one country be able to turn off the lights anywhere else in the world? Its unfair. It needs to stop, and the United States is determined to make that happen,\" he said.

India-US ties after recent strain

The call came two days after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri ended a three-day visit to Washington DC. India and the US have been working to steady relations after a difficult period. Ties fell after Washington imposed punitive tariffs on India. Strain also followed Trump’s remarks on de-escalation in last May’s India-Pakistan clashes.

Despite those tensions, officials from both countries have taken steps to improve engagement in recent months. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is due to visit India next month. Rubio is expected to hold broad talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Meetings with other government functionaries are also planned.

The leaders’ Tuesday call built on earlier conversations this year. Modi and Trump spoke on February 2 on progress in a trade deal. They also spoke on March 24 about the West Asia situation. This latest call was the first after the recent peace talks between Iran and the US.

With inputs from PTI