Two U.S. officials confirmed his presence on the call to the New York Times. What remains unclear is whether Musk said anything during the conversation or simply listened in. Neither the White House nor the Indian government made any mention of him in their official accounts of the call.

What PM Modi Said After The Call?

Prime Minister Modi took to X after the call to share his own summary of what was discussed. He described it as a useful exchange, reaffirming India's position that de-escalation and a return to peace should happen as quickly as possible. He also underlined that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and accessible is a concern that extends well beyond any one country - it matters to the entire world.

"Received a call from President Trump and had a useful exchange of views on the situation in West Asia. 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," PM Modi's tweet read.

A Sign Musk Is Back in Trump's Good Books?

Musk holds no official government position as of now. Earlier in the Trump administration, he served as a "special government employee" while heading up DOGE, the initiative that pursued deep cuts across federal agencies. That period was not without turbulence, tensions with other senior Trump aides eventually contributed to a falling out between Musk and the president last summer.

His inclusion on Tuesday's call suggests the two men have moved past that. It is being read by many as a clear signal that Musk is once again operating close to the center of power, even without a title to show for it.

Here Is What Else You Need To Know

There is an uncomfortable wrinkle tucked into the edges of this story. Trump's ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, gave an interview to Indian television describing the Trump-Modi call as "a very friendly phone call between two world leaders", with no mention of Musk whatsoever.

That omission is hard to miss given the history between the two men. Gor played a central role in the chain of events that pushed Musk out of the administration last summer. Musk was not quiet about how he felt, he called Gor a "snake" publicly and made his frustrations known privately to those around him. That both men now orbit the same diplomatic moment, however awkwardly, says something about how quickly things shift in Trump's world.

Not the First Time the Rules Have Been Bent In Trump 2.0

Musk's presence on the call fits a pattern that has become familiar with this administration. Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, holds no official government role and yet has been handed significant responsibilities, leading negotiations tied to the Middle East conflict and discussions around Russia's war in Ukraine, all while maintaining his own business interests in those same regions. The Trump White House has consistently written its own rules about who gets access and when, and Tuesday's call is the latest example of that approach in action.