‘Why are businessmen present?’: Congress questions PM Modi over Elon Musk’s presence on Trump call

New Delhi: Congress on Saturday savaged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent phone call with US President Donald Trump, following reports that Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk was also on the call.Opposition parties have raised questions about transparency and decorum, claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government failed to disclose key details about the interactions, particularly a private businessman who was reportedly involved in high-level diplomatic exchanges.

The controversy stems from a New York Times report that said Musk was part of a conversation between the two leaders. The call reportedly focused on the evolving crisis in West Asia and the need to ensure stability in the region.In response to the report, Congress questioned the appropriateness of private attendance at discussions between the two heads of state, especially in a sensitive geopolitical situation.In a post onThe party also questioned why the Indian government did not officially disclose Musk’s attendance.“Why did the Modi government not disclose Musk’s existence? Why did we learn about it from another country and not our own government?” the Congress said.“Trump spoke to leaders of different countries during the war but no businessman participated in any of the calls. Why is this happening only to Modi?” the party added.Congress further noted that the White House called the conversation “productive” and questioned the nature of the outcome.“The White House said the talks were productive. But productive for whom?” the person involved asked.The opposition called for clarification, saying the country “deserves a clear answer”, especially given the seriousness of the situation in West Asia.The company also viewed the issue as one of diplomatic courtesy and said the call came at a time when tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran require “diplomatic seriousness, not corporate presence.”Elon Musk’s involvement in the call was confirmed by U.S. officials, the New York Times reported, making it an unusual example of a private citizen participating in a high-level diplomatic discussion.The report emphasized that the dialogue between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump took place on March 24 and focused on the crisis in West Asia, especially the need to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and safe. In an official statement issued after the call, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s support for de-escalation and dialogue. He stressed that ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is crucial to 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.