MEA Denies Elon Musk Joined Modi-Trump Call, Calls NYT Report Inaccurate
Amid speculation sparked by an international media report, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has firmly denied claims that tech billionaire Elon Musk was part of a high-level call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, calling the report inaccurate.
Was Elon Musk part of the Modi-Trump call?
India’s Ministry of External Affairs moved swiftly to quash speculation after a report by The New York Times suggested that Elon Musk had joined a recent phone conversation between Narendra Modi and Donald Trump.
In a categorical clarification, the MEA stated that no third party was involved in the exchange. A statement by the ministry said, “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.”
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The response directly counters the NYT’s claim that the Tesla CEO was present during the high-level diplomatic conversation.
What did the US say about the conversation?
While the White House did not directly address Musk’s alleged presence, it reinforced the strength of ties between the two leaders. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the interaction in positive terms.
Responding to ANI's query regarding the report, Leavitt said, “President Trump has a great relationship with Prime Minister Modi, and this was a productive conversation.”
Her remarks focused on the outcome of the discussion rather than the controversy surrounding Musk’s reported involvement.
Why did the NYT report raise eyebrows?
The New York Times report had described Musk’s alleged participation as an unusual development, citing two US officials. According to the publication, such involvement would mark a rare instance of a private citizen joining a conversation between two heads of state, particularly during a sensitive geopolitical moment in West Asia.
The report further suggested that Musk’s presence could indicate an improving relationship with Trump, following a previous fallout after the billionaire exited a government-linked role tied to the US Department of Government Efficiency.
However, India’s official position leaves little room for ambiguity, asserting that the call remained strictly bilateral.
(With inputs from ANI)