India rejects NYT report that Elon Musk joined key Modi-Trump call over war

Elon Musk joined the phone call between Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump that took place on Tuesday over West Asia conflict.

Updated on: Mar 28, 2026, 16:59:31 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The telephone conversation on March 24 of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump was between them only, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday, dismissing reports that billionaire Elon Musk joined the phone call.

L: PM Modi and US President Donald Trump | R: Tesla CEO Elon Musk (Bloomberg and Reuters)

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. Track latest in US-Iran war here

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.

Giving a clarification on the report, a spokesperson of the MEA said, "We have seen the story. The telephone conversation on 24 March was between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump only," news agency ANI reported.

"As has been stated earlier, it provided the opportunity for exchange of views on the situation in West Asia," the spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Modi-Trump phone call

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

PM Modi said he discussed the importance of the opening of key waterway Strait of Hormuz.

"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 in his post.

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

Meanwhile, the US embassy in India shared a surprise praise message by Donald Trump on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I are two people that get things done, the message by US President Donald Trump stated, adding that this is something that "cannot be said for most".

“Our amazing relationship with India will be even stronger going forward. Prime Minister Modi and I are two people that get things done, something that cannot be said for most,” the US Embassy in India shared on X a message by President Donald Trump.

The shoutout for India-US relations came amid the Middle East conflict that the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.