US President Donald Trump dialled PM Narendra Modi to discuss the situation in the West Asia region, including the importance of securing safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, and to review what the Indian leader described as substantial progress achieved in bilateral cooperation in various sectors. This was the second time that Trump spoke to Modi since the war between the US, Israel, and Iran broke out on February 28. Responding to a question from TOI shortly after the conversation, Gor said both sides were hoping to finalise “incredible deals” in time for the visit by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to India next month for the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting.
Gor was asked if the leaders had discussed the possibility of a visit by Trump to India for the Quad summit. The ambassador said that the focus now is on Rubio’s visit. “The Secretary is coming here next month, which we’re very excited about. And he doesn’t just show up,” said Gor, speaking to journalists on the margins of a reception at the US embassy. He also confirmed that the 2 leaders spoke about the US decision to blockade Iranian ports, which followed the failed peace talks with Iran in Islamabad over the weekend. Responding to media queries, Gor didn’t elaborate much on the nature of the deals that are being finalised, but said that these will be related to energy and other items. He said “big-ticket items” would be announced in the next few days and weeks. While announcing the framework for an interim trade deal with India in early February, Trump had said that India had committed to buying $500 billion worth of energy and other items from the US. According to Gor, while Trump updated Modi about the West Asia situation, he also discussed these “big-ticket items” in bilateral relations that are under discussion in Washington. Modi had earlier said in a post on X that both sides are committed to further strengthening their Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in all areas. “We also discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure,” said Modi in a post on X. India has so far focused more on diplomacy with Iran than on thoughts about joining any military coalition to secure safe passage for its tankers through the key energy waterway. On whether the US would extend the deadline for India’s import of Russian oil, and also a sanctions waiver for the strategic Chabahar port in Iran that India helped develop, Gor said he didn’t want to speak prematurely on these issues, but added there will be a decision at some point in time. The leaders had last spoken on March 24 amidst the raging war in the West Asia region that culminated in a 2-week ceasefire last week. Gor said that Trump wanted to update Modi about the situation when he spoke to him on Tuesday. There were reports the same day that the US and Iran could have another round of talks in Islamabad later this week. Asked about the prospects of more talks before the temporary ceasefire ends, Gor said it wasn’t for him to announce any future dialogue but said that the leaders discussed the blockade and the need to reopen the Strait. “They did talk about the blockade and the importance of reopening as soon as possible. Frankly, this whole region…the whole world is suffering because of this. 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,” said the ambassador. “These are international waterways. There’s an international treaty. The only reason prices have gone up is that somebody is holding this area hostage. So obviously, the United States wants to open this waterway. And I think it benefits the whole world, including India,” added Gor.
We are in the business of delivering results: Gor
US ambassador Sergio Gor said that the last words that President Trump told the PM were, “I just want you to know, we all love you” Gor was speaking at a reception in the US embassy shortly after the talks. “And literally, that was the last thing. And a lot of times, people don’t see that sign. They do have an incredible relationship,” said Gor. Gor said that Trump was very clear that the era of performative diplomacy is over. “We are in the business of delivering results, from securing resilient supply chains, building the silicon backbone of modern computing. The relationship between our two nations is on a very strong footing. Almost every single day, we have engagement at the highest levels,” said Gor, adding that the 2 countries were not just witnessing history, but were also shaping it for the benefit of both countries.
