New Delhi, March 28 (IANS). The Indian government on Saturday rejected reports that billionaire Elon Musk was also involved in the conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the conversation on March 24 was only between PM Modi and President Trump.
The two leaders spoke for the first time after Israel and America’s military action against Iran from February 28.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, in this conversation both the leaders shared their views on the situation in the region and stressed on maintaining peace.
During this phone call, Prime Minister Modi said that India wants peace in the area and less tension. He also said that the Strait of Hormuz should remain safe and open for all.
The talks mainly focused on the changing situation in West Asia.
“We have seen the news. The telephone conversation on March 24 was only between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs said, completely rejecting claims of any third party’s involvement.
The clarification came after a New York Times report, citing ‘unnamed’ US officials, claimed that Elon Musk was part of the call between the two leaders.
“Elon Musk took part in a phone call with President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday; it was unusual for a civilian to appear on a call between two giants during a war-time crisis,” the report said.
The report further said that Trump and Musk had a falling out last year after the billionaire left his role in the government, where he was tasked with reducing the number of employees.
However, it was not clear why Musk would have been included in such a high-level diplomatic conversation or whether he spoke during the call.
–IANS
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