New Delhi, March 28: The Indian government has dismissed claims that Elon Musk joined a scheduled phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump. In a categorical statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs declared that the conversation involved only the two designated leaders.
The Ministry addressed the matter after U.S. media outlets suggested the Tesla CEO was present during the Tuesday session. The official response noted that the dialogue on March 24 was intended for the two heads of state to discuss international affairs, specifically the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
“As has been stated earlier, it provided the opportunity for exchange of views on the situation in West Asia,” the Ministry of External Affairs affirmed while addressing the recent reports.
The New York Times had previously reported that Musk’s alleged participation was an unusual development in international diplomacy. The report cited two U.S. officials who claimed the tech executive’s presence was a sign of a renewed alliance with President Trump following their public disagreement last summer.
In Washington, the White House characterized the communication as a successful meeting of minds between long-time allies. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to inquiries by focusing on the rapport between the Prime Minister and the President.
“President Trump has a great relationship with Prime Minister Modi,” Leavitt stated. She maintained that the discussion was fruitful but stopped short of corroborating the details regarding Musk’s alleged attendance.
The controversy stems from Musk’s previous role with the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, a position he exited amid reports of a fallout with the President. While American journalists suggested the Tuesday call marked a return to form for the billionaire’s influence, the MEA maintained a firm stance on the exclusivity of the diplomatic channel.
