‘US, Iran 2nd round of talks in next 2 days’
NEW DELHI, Apr 14: US President Donald Trump dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to discuss the West Asia crisis and the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz “open and secure” even as US envoy Sergio Gor said India and the US are expected to seal certain “big-ticket” deals soon, including in the energy sector, to further boost bilateral ties.
Shortly after the nearly 40-minute conversation, Modi said he and Trump reviewed the “substantial progress” in the bilateral ties and that both sides are committed to further strengthening the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership in “all areas”.
The call between the two leaders came amid increasing global concerns over the US naval blockade of Iran’s ports, as well as reports that Washington and Tehran may hold a second phase of direct negotiations days after the collapse of initial talks in Islamabad.
It was the third phone call between the two leaders this year and the first after the recent peace talks between Iran and the US. They spoke on February 2 to announce progress in a trade deal, and on March 24 to discuss the situation in West Asia.
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Soon after the call, US ambassador Gor told a select group of journalists that some “big-ticket deals”, including on energy, are expected to be sealed between India and the US in the next “few days and weeks”. However, he refused to elaborate on the deals.
“Received a call from my friend President Donald Trump. We reviewed the substantial progress achieved in our bilateral cooperation in various sectors. We are committed to further strengthening our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in all areas,” Modi said on social media.
“We also discussed the situation in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure,” he said.
The call ended with Trump telling PM Modi that: “I just want you to know we all love you”, according to ambassador Gor.
“We do have some big-ticket items that will be announced over the next few days or the next few weeks, and the relationship is on a firm footing. We will have something very interesting and exciting,” he said.
Sources said certain Indian public sector companies in the energy sector may announce collaborations with American firms in the coming days.
On the Modi-Trump discussion on West Asia, Gor said the US President wanted to update the prime minister on the overall situation in the region.
“You have a nation that is holding the entire world hostage. These are international waterways. There are international treaties,” the envoy said, referring to Iran blocking the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz that has resulted spike in energy prices.
“There’s only one reason that prices (of oil and gas) have gone up (and that) is because somebody is holding this area hostage.
“So obviously the United States wants to open this waterway. And so, I think it benefits the whole world, including here in India,” he said.
Gor said PM Modi and President Trump also discussed the US naval blockade of Iran’s ports. He refused to answer questions on any fresh talks between Iran and the US after the collapse of the negotiations in Islamabad.
“It’s not for me to announce any future talks. They did talk about the blockade and the importance of it reopening as soon as possible. Frankly, this whole region, the whole world is suffering because of this,” he said.
“Why should one country be able to turn off the lights anywhere else in the world? It’s unfair. It needs to stop, and the United States is determined to make that happen,” he added.
The call between the two leaders came two days after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri wrapped up a three-day visit to Washington DC.
Both sides have been working to stabilise the ties after a spell of uncertainty and strain.
The relations witnessed a major downturn after Washington imposed punitive tariffs on India and President Trump made controversial assertions regarding his role in de-escalating the India-Pakistan military clashes last May.
However, both sides made efforts in the last few months to repair the ties.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India next month to hold wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other functionaries of the government.
Meanwhile, Trump has said that a second round of talks with Iran could be held in Islamabad “over the next two days”, according to a US media report on Tuesday.
“You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there,” Trump told The New York Post.
Trump attributed the possibility of a second round of talks to the “great job” done by Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
“It’s more likely, you know why? Because the field marshal is doing a great job,” the US President said.
Fox News reported that the US decision on the blockade of Iranian ports was one of the reasons for Tehran returning to the negotiating table.
“A lot is happening today and tomorrow. We have all the ingredients of a deal, but it’s not all there yet,” an unnamed US official told Fox News.
US Central Command said it successfully blocked all vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas in the first 24 hours of President Trump’s blockade.
CENTCOM said the blockade is being enforced “impartially against vessels of all nations” entering and exiting Iranian ports.
It added that six merchant vessels complied with the US directions to turn around.
More than 10,000 US service members are participating in the blockade, including over 100 aircraft and 18 warships.
CENTCOM said US forces were supporting freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.
The US and Iran failed to reach an agreement in the 21-hour marathon peace talks in Islamabad over the weekend, with Washington insisting that Tehran refused to give up its right to nuclear enrichment. (PTI)
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