Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a 40-minute phone call on Tuesday, April 14, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said.
This marks their third conversation this year and the second since the West Asia conflict began following the US-Israel attack on Iran on February 28.
Meanwhile, PM Modi wrote on X, "Received a call from my friend President Donald Trump. We reviewed the substantial progress achieved in our bilateral cooperation in various sectors. We are committed to further strengthening our 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."
They first spoke on February 2 to announce progress on a trade deal, then again on March 24 to discuss the situation in West Asia, followed by a third call now.
The conflict is currently at a stalemate after talks in Islamabad over the weekend failed to yield results. Both sides remain firm in their positions as a fragile truce, set to last until April 22, continues to hold for now.
US, Iran may meet next week
Meanwhile, Pakistan is engaged in high-level contacts to bring Iran and the US back to the negotiating table and the two sides may meet again in Islamabad for a second round of talks by next week, according to a media report on Tuesday.
The contacts are ongoing for the revival of stalled negotiations between the US and Iran, and talks may be held again before the end of the two-week ceasefire on April 21, The Express Tribune newspaper reported, citing highly placed sources.
They said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir are making hectic efforts to ensure the second round of talks, which may end the Gulf war, as per PTI.
In some high-level meetings held in Islamabad, indications have been given to prepare for the next round of talks between the top leadership of the two warring sides, who held the first direct negotiations in 47 years over the weekend. According to certain sources, the next round of negotiations could take place in Islamabad on Thursday.
However, on the same date, Prime Minister Shehbaz is also scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The prime minister will undertake short visits to Saudi Arabia and Turkey, PTI report stated.
After almost six weeks of the West Asia conflict and with less than two hours before US President Donald Trump's deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, PM Shehbaz announced on April 8 that both sides had agreed to a two-week ceasefire. (With Agency Inputs)
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