Biden, Modi discuss Ukraine war, situation in Bangladesh

WASHINGTON – US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Aug 26 discussed the Russia-Ukraine war following Mr Modi’s visit to Ukraine, along with the situation in Bangladesh, where protests led to the ousting of former leader Sheikh Hasina earlier in August.

Mr Modi posted online that he discussed the situation in Ukraine with Mr Biden over the phone and “reiterated India’s full support for early return of peace and stability”.

He also said the two leaders stressed “the need for early restoration of normalcy, and ensuring the safety and security of minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh”.

The White House issued a separate statement, saying Mr Biden commended Mr Modi’s recent visit to Poland and Ukraine, and that both leaders expressed “support for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in accordance with international law, on the basis of the UN Charter”.

Last week, Mr Modi visited Ukraine in the first visit by an Indian prime minister in modern Ukrainian history. It came at a volatile juncture in

the war launched by Russia in February 2022.

Moscow is making slow gains in eastern Ukraine as Kyiv presses a cross-border incursion.

Mr Modi urged President Volodymyr Zelensky to sit down for talks with Russia to end the war and offered to help bring peace.

Mr Modi’s Ukraine visit followed a visit he made to Russia in July where he embraced President Vladimir Putin on the same day that a deadly Russian missile strike hit a children’s hospital. The visit angered Ukraine and the US State Department said it raised concerns with India about ties with Russia.

Moscow has been a large weapons supplier to India since the Soviet Union days. Washington in recent years has looked to woo New Delhi to counter China’s influence.

Mr Modi said the two leaders also discussed the situation in Bangladesh, where about 300 people, many of them university and college students, were killed during protests that began in July with students agitating against quotas in government jobs. The events later spiralled into demonstrations to oust long-serving former prime minister Hasina.

An interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in after

Ms Hasina fled to India.

Attacks were reported against Muslim-majority Bangladesh’s minorities, especially Hindus, amid the protests.

Mr Modi’s own Hindu nationalist government in Hindu-majority India has faced criticism over the years over attacks on minorities, especially Muslims. REUTERS