PM Narendra Modi with Donald Trump (left), Elon Musk (right) (Images/Agencies)
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, after reports claimed that Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was also present during the call.Raising questions over transparency and protocol, the opposition party alleged that the PM Modi’s government had not disclosed key details about the interaction, particularly the reported participation of a private businessman during a high-level diplomatic exchange.
The controversy stems from a report by The New York Times, which stated that Musk was part of the conversation between the two leaders. The call reportedly focused on the evolving West Asia crisis and the need to ensure stability in the region.Reacting to the report, Congress questioned the appropriateness of a private individual being present in a discussion between two heads of state, especially during a sensitive geopolitical situation.In a post on X, the party raised a series of pointed questions, asking: “Why was a businessman present when two national leaders were discussing a global crisis? What role did Elon Musk play in this conversation? Was this truly about the West Asia crisis, or was there another ‘BUSINESS’ agenda?”The party also questioned why Musk’s presence was not officially disclosed by the Indian government.“Why did the Modi government not disclose Musk’s presence? Why are we learning about this from another country instead of our own government?” the Congress said.“Trump spoke to leaders of different countries during the war, but no businessman was on any of those calls. Why did this happen only with Modi?” the party added.The Congress further referred to the White House describing the conversation as “productive,” questioning the nature of the outcome.“The White House described the talks as productive. But productive for whom?” the party asked.Calling for clarity, the opposition said that the country “deserves clear answers,” particularly given the seriousness of the situation in West Asia.It also framed the issue as one of diplomatic propriety, stating that the call came at a time when tensions involving the US, Israel and Iran required “diplomatic seriousness, not corporate presence.”According to The New York Times, Elon Musk’s participation in the call was confirmed by US officials, making it an unusual instance of a private citizen being part of a high-level diplomatic discussion.The report highlighted that the conversation between PM Modi and President Trump took place on March 24 and focused on the West Asia crisis, particularly the need to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and secure. In his official statement following the call, PM Modi reiterated India’s position in favour of de-escalation and dialogue. He highlighted that ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is vital for global economic stability and energy security.India has also been actively engaging with key stakeholders, including Iran and the United States, to safeguard its strategic and economic interests in the region.
