NEW DELHI, March 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining open maritime routes during a high-level discussion on Tuesday. The two leaders addressed the escalating conflict in West Asia, specifically highlighting the necessity of keeping the Strait of Hormuz accessible for global energy transit. This dialogue represents the first direct contact between the leaders since the outbreak of hostilities last month.
U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor stated that the leaders discussed the Middle East situation with a focus on preventing the conflict from impacting global markets. He affirmed that the Strait of Hormuz is a critical artery for the world’s oil supply and that any closure would have immediate global consequences. The Prime Minister noted that for a major oil importer like India, the security of this passage is a matter of national economic importance.
The telephonic exchange comes as tensions in the Gulf continue to threaten key shipping lanes. Prime Minister Modi asserted that India has consistently called for diplomacy to settle regional disputes and stated that the country is stepping up its engagement with key partners to ensure peace. He maintained that the shared concerns over energy security reflect the gravity of the current military standoff involving regional powers.
New Delhi has reiterated its stance on the protection of international sea lanes to avoid price spikes that could affect domestic consumers. The Prime Minister declared that India remains in close contact with both Washington and regional leaders to monitor the safety of the Indian diaspora. He affirmed that the government is prepared to take necessary steps to shield the national economy from the side effects of the ongoing hostilities.
