India denies Elon Musk was part of Trump-Modi call on West Asia war

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Mar 28, 2026: The Centre on Saturday clarified that the recent phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not include billionaire Elon Musk, firmly rejecting reports suggesting his participation.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the March 24 call was strictly between the two leaders. “We have seen the story. The telephone conversation on 24 March was between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump only," an MEA spokesperson said.

The clarification comes after a report by The New York Times, citing unnamed US officials, claimed that Musk had joined the high-level call during a sensitive period marked by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

According to the MEA, the conversation between Modi and Trump focused on the evolving situation in the region. “As has been stated earlier, it provided the opportunity for exchange of views on the situation in West Asia," the spokesperson added.

The call marked the first direct interaction between the two leaders since the US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran on February 28, escalating tensions across the region.

The New York Times report had described Musk’s alleged presence on the call as unusual, noting that it is rare for a private individual to be involved in a discussion between two heads of state, particularly during a wartime crisis.

The report also said it was unclear why Musk would have been included in the conversation or whether he spoke during the call.

Musk, who had previously worked with the Trump administration in a cost-cutting role before a public fallout last year, has not commented on the claims.

With the MEA’s clarification, India has sought to put to rest speculation around the call, reiterating that it was a standard bilateral exchange between two leaders discussing regional developments.