No third party on Modi–Trump call, India firmly rejects Musk claim

India on March 28 categorically rejected claims that tech billionaire Elon Musk participated in a recent phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, asserting that the high-level exchange involved no third party.

Dismissing a report by The New York Times, the Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the March 24 call was strictly bilateral and centred on developments in West Asia.

“We have seen the story. The telephone conversation on 24 March was between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump only. As stated earlier, it provided an opportunity for exchange of views on the situation in West Asia,” an MEA spokesperson said.

The rebuttal follows claims by the US daily that Musk had joined the leaders’ call during a period of heightened geopolitical tension linked to the Iran conflict. The report described the alleged participation of a private citizen in a wartime discussion between two heads of state as “unusual”.

India’s response effectively shuts down speculation of any external involvement in what it underscored was a sensitive diplomatic engagement.

Musk claim sparks speculation over influence

The report, citing unnamed US officials, had suggested Musk’s presence could reflect renewed proximity to Trump after a reported fallout last year. It also pointed to Musk’s expanding business interests — spanning space, energy and emerging markets — which intersect with regions affected by the ongoing crisis.

The billionaire entrepreneur has also been eyeing expansion in India, where regulatory clearances for ventures such as satellite internet services are still pending.

However, with New Delhi’s firm denial, the claims remain unverified and without official backing.

Focus on Hormuz stability amid rising tensions

According to US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, the Modi–Trump conversation underscored the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and secure, as tensions escalate in the region.

Prime Minister Modi later described the exchange as “useful”, reiterating India’s push for de-escalation and a swift return to stability.

Addressing Parliament, Modi warned that any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is “unacceptable”, flagging concerns over attacks on commercial shipping and instability along critical maritime routes. He said India is actively pursuing diplomatic channels to ensure safe passage for its vessels.

In both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister cautioned that the crisis has begun to ripple across the global economy — disrupting trade flows and impacting supplies of fuel, gas and fertilizers.

With shipping routes under strain, global energy prices have already seen sharp spikes, fuelling concerns of supply shortages across parts of Asia and beyond.