In a major diplomatic development amid escalating West Asia tensions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a crucial phone conversation on Tuesday (April 14, 2026), just a day after Washington ordered a naval blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas.
The call, their third this year and first since the March 24 conversation amid the West Asia conflict, comes at a time when the Strait of Hormuz crisis has sent shockwaves through global energy markets and supply chains. India is affected equally, with several tankers left stranded in the waters since the US blockade.
After their 40-minute long phone call, PM Modi said, “We discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure.”
The timing underscores the urgency for both nations, as disruptions in the region directly impact global oil flows, and India’s energy security in particular.
PM Modi-Trump phone call: What did Trump say about the Hormuz crisis?
During the 40-minute call, President Trump briefed PM Modi on the unfolding situation, taking a strong position against Iran’s actions. “You have a nation that is holding the entire world hostage. These are international waterways. There are international treaties”, referring to Iran’s disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
“There’s only one reason that prices (of oil and gas) have gone up. It is because somebody is holding this area hostage… the United States wants to open this waterway. And so, I think it benefits the whole world, including here in India,” he added.
Worth mentioning here is that even this time, it was US President Trump who dialled PM Modi, like the last time. His latest remarks reflect Washington’s justification for the blockade, positioning it as a move to restore global maritime access and stabilise energy markets.
What did PM Modi say after the call?
PM Modi emphasised both the strategic partnership and shared concerns over global stability. “Received a call from my friend President Donald Trump. We reviewed the substantial progress achieved in our bilateral cooperation in various sectors,” he posted on X, adding, “We are committed to further strengthening our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in all areas,” he added.
The leaders also reviewed bilateral ties and reaffirmed cooperation, signalling efforts to stabilise relations after last year’s tensions over US tariffs on Indian goods.
‘Big-ticket’ India-US deals ahead?
A key highlight of the development came from US envoy Sergio Gor, who revealed that major India-US agreements are in the pipeline. “We have some big-ticket items that will be announced over the next few days or weeks… it’ll be related to energy. It’ll be related to some other items, but stay tuned,” Gor said.
He added that both sides reviewed “substantial progress” in ties and that the relationship is on a “firm footing.” The expected deals, especially in the energy sector, could be crucial as India looks to secure supplies amid Hormuz disruptions.
How does this fit into broader India-US diplomacy?
The call comes just days after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s three-day visit to Washington, where he held talks with top US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio is now scheduled to visit India next month, with preparations underway for high-level bilateral talks with EAM S Jaishankar, and a possible Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting in May.
Gor also highlighted the importance of the upcoming visit, saying, “India is vitally important to us. It’s an incredible partner and the President also has an incredible relationship with your Prime Minister.”
He added that Rubio’s visit signals the priority Washington places on ties with New Delhi.
Will US-Iran talks resume despite the tensions?
Even as the blockade escalates tensions, Trump indicated that diplomacy is not off the table. He said negotiations with Iran could resume “over the next two days,” with Pakistan likely to remain the venue. However, Gor struck a firm tone on the blockade, “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 United States is determined to make that happen.”
Meanwhile, the Modi-Trump conversation highlights India’s growing role in global crisis diplomacy, especially in a region critical to its energy needs. With nearly half of India’s oil and gas supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz, any disruption has direct economic consequences.
At the same time, the call signals deepening India-US strategic alignment.