New Delhi, India March 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a high-level telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump to discuss the escalating tensions in West Asia, with both leaders underscoring the critical importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, safe and accessible amid rising regional instability.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the interaction was focused on de-escalation efforts and safeguarding global energy and maritime security. “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,” PM Modi stated.US envoy Sergio Gor later confirmed that the discussion centred on the ongoing conflict and highlighted “the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open”.
US–Iran Tensions and India’s Diplomatic Push
The diplomatic engagement comes as President Trump signalled a possible easing of tensions in the US–Israel standoff with Iran, stating on Monday that his administration was pursuing “productive” talks with Tehran. He also extended by five days a deadline for potential strikes on Iranian power plants, citing the country’s effective control over the key oil transit route.
While Iranian officials claimed the US had stepped back following “firm warnings”, reports by CBS indicated that Tehran was reviewing points shared by Washington through mediators.
In Parliament on Tuesday, PM Modi highlighted India’s sustained diplomatic outreach to mitigate regional risks. “Since the start of the war, I have held two rounds of phone conversations with the heads of state of most countries in West Asia. We are in continuous contact with all the Gulf countries, and we are also in touch with Iran, Israel and the United States,” he said.
He reiterated that India is using its diplomatic channels to protect maritime movement and safeguard its diaspora. “Through diplomacy, India is trying to ensure safe commutation of the country’s ships even in a war situation. India has opted for a solution through dialogue to resolve this issue,” he added, stressing that the wellbeing of Indians in the region remains a top priority.
“No Permission Required” for Transit: Shipping Ministry
Amid global concerns over the security of the chokepoint, Rajesh Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Shipping, clarified that transit rights remain unaffected. “It is an international strait. Permission was not required before. It is not required even today. You assess the situation for safety, but there is no need to seek permission from anyone,” he said.
Two Indian LPG Carriers Safely Cross Strait of HormuzIn a significant operational development, two Indian LPG carriers — Jag Vasant and Pine Gas — successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. The vessels, together transporting 92,612.59 MT of LPG, navigated through the high-risk zone with 33 and 27 Indian crew members onboard, respectively.
The Union Government confirmed that both vessels are expected to arrive at Indian ports within the next 48 hours. Their passage follows the safe arrival of MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, which recently delivered about 92,712 tonnes of LPG, equivalent to roughly a day’s cooking gas consumption for India.
The Pine Gas and Jag Vasant departed the Persian Gulf on Monday morning, moving in close proximity as part of a wider convoy of 22 Indian-flagged vessels that had been stranded amid heightened hostilities.Reaffirming the government’s commitment to maritime safety, Sinha said, “Ultimately, we want to secure safe passage of all our vessels that are stranded in the region.”
Backdrop of Heightened Tensions
The successful transit comes days after Iran warned that it would not permit ships belonging to “enemy countries” to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying concerns over global energy supply chains.
As geopolitical uncertainty continues, India maintains that stable maritime routes and uninterrupted energy flows are vital not only for its economy but for global security.
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