Prime Minister Narendra Modi has confirmed that he recently received a phone call from his “dear friend” French President Emmanuel Macron, during which both leaders discussed the rapidly evolving security situation in West Asia and the urgent need to restore safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Modi stated that the two agreed on the importance of coordinated diplomatic and maritime efforts to prevent further escalation and to safeguard one of the world’s most critical oil‑transit chokepoints.
The Strait of Hormuz, lying between Iran and Oman and linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, remains a focal point of global energy‑security concerns as a large share of the world’s seaborne crude oil passes through it every day. Recent tensions in the broader West Asian region have heightened fears of disrupted shipping lanes, prompting France and other partners to step up diplomatic and naval‑coordination measures.
Emmanuel Macron has publicly ruled out any unilateral military attempt to “open” the Strait by force, describing such an operation as “unrealistic” and too risky for both regional and international actors. Instead, he has pushed for a strictly defensive, multinational maritime mission, led jointly by France and the United Kingdom, to guarantee safe passage once the wider conflict environment stabilises.
In the same context, Macron reiterated that France will continue close cooperation with partners across Europe, the Middle East and beyond to advance peace and stability in West Asia. He has emphasised the need for inclusive dialogue with all relevant regional capitals, including Iran, to build security guarantees that reduce the risk of further escalation and protect freedom of navigation over the long term.
This latest phone exchange between Prime Minister Modi and President Macron underscores how senior leaders are treating the Hormuz‑security and West Asia crisis as a central component of global strategic discussions in 2026, with France and key partners positioning themselves as key diplomatic‑maritime actors in the region.