US President Donald Trump dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to discuss the West Asia crisis, including efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and to review bilateral cooperation in different sectors.
India has pushed for a return to dialogue and diplomacy to end the war, which has impacted the supply of energy and other key commodities such as fertilisers because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
“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 after the call.
40-minutes phone call
US ambassador Sergio Gor said the President provided Modi an update on the situation in West Asia, especially efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“They did talk about the blockade and the importance of [the strait] reopening as soon as possible. Frankly, this whole region, this whole world is suffering because of this. Why should one country be able to turn off the lights anywhere else in the world? It’s unfair, it needs to stop, and the US is determined to make that happen,” Gor said.
India and the US are currently engaged in rebuilding their ties after a period of unprecedented strains last year over 50% tariffs levied by Trump on Indian exports, including a 25% levy over buying Russian energy.
