New Delhi: US President Donald Trump dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to discuss the West Asia crisis and the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz “open and secure” even as US envoy Sergio Gor said India and the US are expected to seal certain “big-ticket” deals soon, including in the energy sector.
Shortly after their nearly 40-minute conversation, Modi said he and Trump reviewed the “substantial progress” in the bilateral ties and that both sides are committed to further strengthening the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership in “all areas”.
Following the call, US ambassador Gor told a select group of journalists that some “big-ticket deals”, including on energy are expected to be sealed between India and the US in the next “few days and weeks”. However, he refused to elaborate on the deals.
The call between the two leaders came amid increasing global concerns over the US naval blockade of Iran’s ports, as well as reports that Washington and Tehran may hold a second phase of direct negotiations days after the collapse of initial talks in Islamabad.
“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.
“We also discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure,” he said.
The call ended with Trump telling PM Modi that: “I just want you to know we all love you”, according to Ambassador Gor.
“We have some big-ticket items that will be announced over the next few days or weeks, and the relationship is on a firm footing. We will have something very interesting and exciting,” Gor said.
Asked to elaborate, he added: ” In terms of some of the deals that might occur, might get announced soon, it’ll be related to energy. It’ll be related to some other items, but stay tuned. That all I’ll say.”
On the Modi-Trump discussion on West Asia, Gor said the US President wanted to update the prime minister on the overall situation in the region.
“You have a nation that is holding the entire world hostage. These are international waterways. There are international treaties,” the envoy said, referring to Iran blocking the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz that has resulted spike in energy prices.
“There’s only one reason that prices (of oil and gas) have gone up. It is because somebody is holding this area hostage. So obviously the United States wants to open this waterway. And so, I think it benefits the whole world, including here in India,” he said.
Gor said PM Modi and President Trump also discussed the US naval blockade of Iran’s ports. He refused to answer questions on any fresh talks between Iran and the US after the collapse of the negotiations in Islamabad.
The US envoy also responded to a question on whether the US was looking for an Indian contribution to de-escalate the situation in West Asia, noting that President Trump is open to many countries getting involved if they choose.
The call between the two leaders came two days after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri wrapped up a three-day visit to Washington DC.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India next month to hold wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other functionaries of the government.
