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Elon Musk Joins Modi-Trump Call on West Asia Crisis, Reports NYT

Tesla CEO Elon Musk reportedly joined a phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump concerning the West Asia conflict. The New York Times reports this unusual involvement marks an apparent improvement in Musk's previously strained relationship with Trump. The leaders discussed securing vital energy corridors, with PM Modi emphasizing the need for an open and accessible Strait of Hormuz. Musk's participation, while its purpose is unclear, comes as his companies have significant ties to Gulf investors and he seeks to expand in India.

Key Points: Elon Musk Joins Modi-Trump Phone Call: NYT Report

  • Musk in rare private citizen role
  • Signals mended Trump-Musk ties
  • Focus on Strait of Hormuz security
  • India advocates for de-escalation
2 min read

Elon Musk joined phone call between PM Modi, US President Trump, reports NYT

Elon Musk participated in a call between PM Modi and President Trump on the West Asia conflict, signaling improved ties with Trump, reports NYT.

"Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is essential for the whole world. - PM Narendra Modi"

Washington DC, March 28

Tesla CEO Elon Musk joined the phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump that took place on Tuesday, The New York Times reported on Friday.

According to the NYT, Musk's involvement in the call marks an unusual instance of a private citizen participating in a conversation between two heads of state amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

The NYT reported, citing two US officials, that Musk's participation signals an apparent improvement in his relationship with Trump.

The development comes after a fallout between Trump and Musk last summer, following the tech billionaire's exit from a government role where he had been tasked with reducing the federal workforce through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

However, recent interactions suggest that ties between the billionaire and the US President have since stabilised, as reported by the NYT.

Earlier on Tuesday, amid intensifying global efforts to secure vital energy corridors, PM Modi held a high-level telephonic conversation with US President Trump to discuss the prevailing conflict in West Asia.

The dialogue comes at a critical juncture as regional tensions continue to impact global energy markets and maritime security.

In a post on X, PM Modi detailed the diplomatic exchange, stating that both sides called for an "open, secure and accessible" Strait of Hormuz and reiterated India's stance on de-escalation and peace in the region.

"Received a call from President Trump and had a useful exchange of views on the situation in West Asia. 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. We agreed to stay in touch regarding efforts towards peace and stability," the PM stated in his post.

According to the NYT, it remains unclear why Elon Musk participated in the call or whether he actively spoke.

His companies have received substantial investment from sovereign wealth funds from Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Musk has also long sought to expand his commercial presence in India. Additionally, his private aerospace firm, SpaceX, has been weighing an initial public offering later this year, which could face disruption if global economic conditions deteriorate, as reported by the NYT.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
I have mixed feelings. On one hand, it's good that global business leaders are engaging with India. On the other, a phone call between PM and a President is a sovereign diplomatic channel. Having a third person, however influential, listening in feels a bit off. Hope the focus remained on strategic issues like Hormuz.
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Arjun K
Musk's companies have big investments from Gulf funds. With the West Asia conflict impacting oil and global trade, maybe he was there to give a business/tech perspective on securing energy corridors? Still, very unusual. The main thing is that India's stance on de-escalation was clearly communicated. Jai Hind!
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Sarah B
From an outsider's perspective (I work in Delhi), this shows how geopolitics and big tech are merging. Musk wants a bigger piece of the Indian market—Tesla, Starlink. If being on this call helps smooth that path, it's a smart, if unorthodox, move. The PM's statement on peace was very balanced.
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Vikram M
Respectfully, I hope this doesn't set a precedent. Diplomacy should be between states, not influenced by billionaires with their own commercial agendas. What if his SpaceX IPO plans influenced the tone? Our foreign policy must remain independent. That said, kudos to PM Modi for firmly stating India's peace stance.
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Kavya N
The Strait of Hormuz is crucial for our energy security. If Musk's involvement, given his ties to the region, helps in any way to keep it open and secure, it's a positive. But the report says it's unclear why he was there or if he spoke. More transparency would

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