New Delhi has officially dismissed reports suggesting that billionaire Elon Musk participated in a high-stakes telephone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a clarification on Saturday, following a New York Times report that claimed the private citizen was present on the call—an occurrence the publication described as “unusual” during a wartime crisis.
MEA: “Only Modi and Trump”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs addressed the rumors directly, emphasizing the bilateral nature of the discussion.
-
Official Stance: “The telephone conversation on 24 March was between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump only,” the spokesperson stated.
-
Purpose of the Call: The dialogue served as a critical exchange of views regarding the escalating conflict in West Asia, specifically the war involving Iran that intensified after military strikes began on February 28.
Strategic Concerns: The Strait of Hormuz
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi detailed the core objectives of the diplomatic exchange. With global oil markets in turmoil, the primary focus remains on maritime stability.
“India supports de-escalation and restoration of peace at the earliest. Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is essential for the whole world.” — PM Narendra Modi
Context of the Conflict
The call comes at a volatile moment in the regional war:
-
Deadline for Tehran: President Trump has set an April 6 deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face further strikes on energy assets.
-
Recent Escalations: Reports emerged on Friday of strikes hitting three Iranian nuclear facilities and two steel plants. Iranian officials have stated there was no radioactive release.
-
Regional Instability: Iranian Revolutionary Guards have threatened to retaliate against industrial sites and US military bases across the Gulf, having already impacted stability in Dubai and Bahrain.
The “Musk” Factor
The New York Times had reported Musk’s involvement citing unnamed US officials. This sparked intrigue given Musk’s previous “falling out” with Trump last year after a brief stint tasked with government workforce reductions. However, New Delhi’s firm denial aims to put an end to speculation regarding private-sector interference in formal state diplomacy.
