On Monday (26th August), Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden and discussed views on regional and global issues, particularly the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh and the Ukraine crisis.
Taking to X PM Modi said: “Spoke to @POTUS @JoeBiden on phone today. We had a detailed exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine. I reiterated India’s full support for early return of peace and stability. We also discussed the situation in Bangladesh and stressed on the need for early restoration of normalcy, and ensuring the safety and security of minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh.”
Spoke to @POTUS @JoeBiden on phone today. We had a detailed exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine. I reiterated India’s full support for early return of peace and stability.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 26, 2024
We also discussed the situation in Bangladesh and…
While PM Modi shared details of the telephone conversation he had with President Biden, the White House also issued a communique about the same. The communique mentioned that the two leaders talked about PM Modi’s recent Poland and Ukraine visits, the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings, and Quad cooperation, however, it deliberately skipped the duo’s discussion of Bangladesh and the need for ensuring their safety.
“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to discuss the Prime Minister’s recent trip to Poland and Ukraine, as well as the United Nations General Assembly meetings in September. The President commended the Prime Minister for his historic visits to Poland and Ukraine, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in decades, and for his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine, including its energy sector. The Leaders affirmed their continued support for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in accordance with international law, on the basis of the UN Charter. The Leaders also emphasized their continued commitment to work together, including through regional groups like the Quad, to contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” the White House communique reads.
Even on the US President’s official X handle, the discussion on the Bangladesh crisis was not mentioned. “I spoke with Prime Minister Modi to discuss his recent trip to Poland and Ukraine, and commended him for his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine. We also affirmed our commitment to work together to contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” President Biden posted.
I spoke with Prime Minister Modi to discuss his recent trip to Poland and Ukraine, and commended him for his message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine.
— President Biden (@POTUS) August 26, 2024
We also affirmed our commitment to work together to contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
This comes days after the White House refused to comment on the plight of the Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh. While responding to a query on atrocities against Hindu Americans and Hindus in Bangladesh, the official White House Spokesperson Jean Pierre said that they are continuing to monitor the situation but they don’t have anything else to add.
