What Happened
- Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump held a 40-minute phone call during which PM Modi stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure for international navigation
- The call came at a critical juncture: the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed due to the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflict, with the US having imposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports from April 13, 2026
- This was the third Trump-Modi conversation in 2026, underscoring the elevated pace of bilateral diplomatic engagement
- India's statement emphasised both maritime security and the need for a diplomatic resolution to the West Asia conflict
Static Topic Bridges
India's Energy Security Framework
India is the world's third-largest energy consumer and among the most import-dependent large economies for crude oil. With domestic production meeting less than 13% of total oil demand, India's energy security strategy involves diversifying import sources, maintaining strategic petroleum reserves, and developing alternative energy infrastructure.
- India surpassed the US in 2024 to become the world's second-largest energy consumer
- Crude oil import dependence: 87.8% in FY 2023-24
- India's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR): managed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL); capacity at Vishakhapatnam, Mangalore, and Padur — total ~5.33 million metric tonnes (approximately 9-10 days of consumption)
- India has been diversifying away from Gulf towards Russia (Russian crude imports surged after 2022 Ukraine sanctions), but Gulf still provides ~60% of imports
- US LNG exports to India reached a record 27 million metric tonnes in 2024 (19% of India's total LNG imports)
Connection to this news: An extended closure of the Strait of Hormuz would directly threaten India's energy supply chains, making PM Modi's diplomatic intervention a matter of direct national economic security.
The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
The INSTC is a 7,200 km multimodal transport route connecting India (Mumbai) to Russia (St. Petersburg) via Iran, Azerbaijan, and the Caspian Sea. It was established by a tripartite agreement between India, Iran, and Russia in 2000 and entered into force in 2002. It is designed to reduce freight time and costs compared to the Suez Canal route by approximately 30% in time and 40% in costs.
- Founded: 2000 (agreement signed), entered into force 2002
- Current members: India, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Ukraine, Syria, Turkey, Bulgaria (14 members)
- Key Indian investment: Chabahar Port (Iran) — India operates Shahid Beheshti Terminal
- Chabahar exempted from US sanctions (special waiver) given its humanitarian/connectivity value
- The corridor reduces travel time from Mumbai to Moscow from ~40 days (Suez route) to ~25 days
- West Asia conflict threatens the Iranian segment of this corridor
Connection to this news: India's call for keeping Hormuz open is inseparable from its interests in INSTC — both the maritime approach to Iran (via Hormuz/Gulf of Oman) and the land corridor through Iran are at risk when the region is in conflict.
India's Neutral Posture on Iran-Israel Conflict
India has historically maintained a calibrated, neutral stance on Israel-Palestine and Iran-related conflicts, guided by the principle of non-interference and multi-alignment. India is a strategic partner of both Israel (Special Strategic Partnership since 2025) and maintains historical ties with Iran (Chabahar, INSTC). India has abstained on several UN resolutions related to the current conflict.
- India-Israel relations elevated to "Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation & Prosperity" in 2025
- India-Iran: Chabahar port operations, INSTC membership, historical Non-Aligned Movement solidarity
- India-US: Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership (2023); iCET, DTTI frameworks
- India-Gulf (Saudi, UAE): CEPA with UAE (Feb 2022), massive diaspora, energy imports
- India's UN abstentions on West Asia resolutions reflect its multi-alignment doctrine
Connection to this news: PM Modi's call to keep Hormuz open — addressed to Trump rather than to both parties — signals a diplomatic tilt towards the US position while preserving India's stated neutrality on the underlying conflict.
Key Facts & Data
- India: world's 2nd largest energy consumer as of 2024
- India's crude oil import dependence: 87.8% (FY 2023-24)
- India's SPR capacity: ~5.33 million metric tonnes (Vishakhapatnam, Mangalore, Padur)
- INSTC length: 7,200 km (Mumbai to Moscow/St. Petersburg)
- INSTC: reduces freight time by ~30%, cost by ~40% vs Suez route
- US LNG to India: record 27 million MT in 2024 (19% of India's LNG imports)
- Trump-Modi calls in 2026 (as of April 14): 3
- US naval blockade of Iranian ports: effective April 13, 2026