Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, with both leaders expressing concern over the situation in West Asia and calling for the urgent restoration of safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said the two leaders discussed the escalating regional crisis and agreed on the need to secure one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes.
“Received a phone call from my dear friend President Emmanuel Macron. We discussed the situation in West Asia and agreed on the need to urgently restore safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," PM Modi wrote. He added that India and France would continue working closely to support peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Focus On Critical Trade Route
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most vital shipping corridors, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas exports. Any disruption to the narrow waterway can have immediate consequences for global energy markets, freight movement and insurance costs. International concern has risen sharply amid ongoing tensions in West Asia, with several countries urging de-escalation and protection of commercial shipping.
What’s The Latest On US-Iran Talks?
PM Modi and Macron’s phone call comes as a Pakistani delegation led by the country’s military chief Asim Munir landed in Tehran, marking the latest diplomatic push to revive talks between the United States and Iran since the two sides agreed to a fragile two-week ceasefire last week after nearly six weeks of fighting. The truce, which expires on April 22, has created a small window for negotiations to end the war, which has killed more than 4,000 people across West Asia, overwhelmingly in Iran and Lebanon.
The first round of talks was held last week in Islamabad under Pakistani mediation but failed to secure an understanding or agreement between Tehran and Washington. US President Donald Trump said that the war is “very close to being over" and has signalled that a second round of talks could resume within days, again potentially in the Pakistani capital.
Source: News18