Amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to US President Donald Trump to discuss the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
Taking to X, PM Modi said he received a call from President Trump and had a "useful exchange of views on the situation in West Asia."
He asserted that India backs de-escalation and restoration of peace at the earliest. "Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is essential for the whole world. We agreed to stay in touch regarding efforts towards peace and stability," the PM posted.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor was the first to reveal about the call between the two leaders. "President Donald Trump just spoke with Prime Minister Modi. They discussed the ongoing situation in the Middle East, including the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open," Gor posted on X.
Earlier today, while speaking in Rajya Sabha, Modi said India wants peace in West Asia through dialogue and diplomacy. "India's attempt is to encourage all sections to peacefully resolve all issues," he said.
"We are trying to procure gas, crude oil from all possible sources," he said, adding that efforts will continue in the coming days.
"If West Asia crisis persists for a longer period, serious consequences are imminent. There is no other option for India but to become self-reliant," Modi pointed out. "In past 11 years, 53 lakh MT strategic oil reserves have been created; work on 65 lakh MT additional capacity is on."
This comes as the Centre is loading LPG onto Indian vessels in the Persian Gulf amid gas shortage, reported Reuters.
Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the shipping ministry, revealed that eight LPG carriers, four crude oil ships and one LNG tanker were among 24 Indian-flagged vessels stranded in the region due to the war. He revealed that one of the vessels would be fully loaded with LPG in three to four days while give tankers carrying 230,000 metric ton of LPG are in the Strait of Hormuz.
This is the worst LPG crisis the Centre has faced and the government has cut supplies for industries. India's LPG imports account for 60 per cent. Of this, 90 per cent came from the Middle East.
