India on Saturday (29th March) rejected reports that tech billionaire Elon Musk was part of a recent phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made it clear that the call was strictly between the two leaders, calling the reports incorrect and rubbishing such claims.
The clarification came after The New York Times reported that Musk had joined the discussion. Responding to these reports, an MEA spokesperson said the 24th March conversation involved only Modi and Trump, with no third person present. The spokesperson added that the call focused on exchanging views on the situation in West Asia, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
MEA Spox on NYT story
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 28, 2026
“We have seen the story. The telephone conversation on 24 March was between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump only. As has been stated earlier, it provided the opportunity for exchange of views on the situation in West Asia.” https://t.co/ZVBRP2PvEl
WION journalist Sidhant Sibal quoted a MEA spokesperson as saying, “We have seen the story. The telephone conversation on 24 March was between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump only. As has been stated earlier, it provided the opportunity for exchange of views on the situation in West Asia.”
The Indian government also underlined that the discussion touched upon concerns around the Strait of Hormuz and the need to keep it open, secure, and accessible. Prime Minister Modi, in his communication later, reiterated India’s stand, stressing de-escalation and the early restoration of peace in the region.
The MEA’s strong response comes as speculation grew over the reported presence of Musk in such a high-level diplomatic exchange. Officials made it clear that such claims were baseless and needed to be set aside.
What the New York Times claimed earlier
Earlier, The New York Times reported that Musk was part of the nearly 40-minute phone call between Trump and Modi, citing unnamed White House officials. The report described it as a rare instance in which a private individual joined a conversation between two world leaders, especially during a sensitive period of conflict in West Asia.
While Neither the US nor the Indian gov had officially mentioned Musk’s involvement.
