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New Delhi: US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for global trade during a call to discuss the situation in West Asia . About a fifth of global energy supplies pass through the strait, which Iran has effectively blockaded, allowing ships through selectively, including vessels carrying oil and gas destined for India."Received a call from President Trump and had a useful exchange of views on the situation in West Asia," Modi posted on X. "India supports de-escalation and restoration of peace at the earliest. Ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible is essential for the whole world. We agreed to stay in touch regarding efforts towards peace and stability."The conversation with Trump was the latest in the series of calls that Modi has been involved in over the past 10 days as part of his diplomatic efforts to keep the Hormuz open for critical energy and associated supplies to the country, besides ensuring the wellbeing of the Indians in the Gulf. It comes two days after PM's phone conversation with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian in which he stressed the urgency of protecting global shipping routes “President Donald Trump just spoke with Prime Minister Modi,” US ambassador to India Sergio Gor wrote on X. “They discussed the ongoing situation in the Middle East, including the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.”The Strait of Hormuz blockade and attacks on energy infrastructure in the region have squeezed global supplies with the pain being felt most acutely in Asia. India has been able to secure the passage of a number of its tankers through the strait following diplomatic negotiations with Iran.Earlier on Tuesday, Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha, where he warned of serious consequences if the West Asia conflict didn’t end soon. He added that India’s aim was “de-escalation” and the opening up of the Strait of Hormuz.On Monday, Trump walked back on a 48-hour ultimatum he’d given to Iran to open the strait or face attacks on its power plants. Following talks with Iran, according to Trump, he was extending the deadline to five days.Trump referred to “productive conversations” between the US and Iran for “complete and total resolution” of the conflict in West Asia. However, Iran denied any high-level contact with the US and dismissed Trump’s statements as an attempt to manipulate volatile global markets.