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Donald Trump called Narendra Modi a friend and said their recent phone talk was very good, underscoring a personal rapport that persists even as both leaders navigate a volatile diplomatic landscape.
The conversation, which lasted about 40 minutes, took place earlier this week and marked the third exchange between the two this year. It came shortly after indirect U.S.-Iran talks and amid renewed attention on maritime security in critical waterways.
Modi confirmed the call in a post on X, stating he reviewed the substantial progress in bilateral cooperation across sectors and reaffirmed the commitment to strengthen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. He also noted that both leaders discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure.
Trump echoed those points in his response to ANI, emphasizing the personal dimension of the relationship by calling Modi a friend and saying he was doing great. He described their exchange as a very good conversation, consistent with Modi’s own characterization.
The call concluded with Trump telling Modi, “I just want you to know we all love you,” according to U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who also called the exchange very positive and productive, signaling alignment on strategic priorities.
This dialogue occurs against a backdrop of intensified U.S. Diplomatic activity in the region, including Trump’s announcement of a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which he framed as a step toward broader de-escalation involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
The ceasefire, set to begin at 5 p.m. ET Thursday, follows weeks of conflict in which Israeli air strikes have killed nearly 2,200 people in Lebanon. Hezbollah has insisted any truce must be comprehensive across Lebanese territory and not permit Israeli freedom of movement.
Separately, Pakistan’s army chief met with Iranian officials in Tehran on the same day as Trump’s remarks, aiming to ease Middle East tensions and lay groundwork for a second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations after nearly seven weeks of indirect talks.
These layered diplomatic moves — personal calls between leaders, ceasefire announcements, and regional shuttle diplomacy — reflect an effort to manage escalating risks while preserving channels of communication.
The enduring emphasis on the Strait of Hormuz by both Trump and Modi highlights its continued significance as a linchpin of global energy security, with any disruption posing immediate risks to oil markets and international trade.
While the tone of the Trump-Modi exchange remains warm and affirming, the substance points to a partnership increasingly focused on shared security concerns in a region where military, economic, and diplomatic pressures are converging.
What did Trump and Modi discuss during their call?
They reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation, discussed the situation in West Asia, and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure.
How many times have Trump and Modi spoken this year?
This was their third phone call in 2026, following conversations on February 2 and March 24.
What did Sergio Gor say about the call?
He described it as a very positive and productive conversation and revealed that Trump told Modi, “I just want you to know we all love you.”