<div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with US President Joe Biden over the phone. In a statement, India said that during the conversation, the two leaders exchanged views on various regional and global issues, including the situation in Bangladesh.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, the United States did not mention the Bangladesh issue regarding the conversation between Biden and Modi.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The two leaders expressed their shared concern over the situation in Bangladesh and emphasised the restoration of law and order and ensuring the safety of minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh,” read a statement issued by the Indian Prime Minister’s Office on Monday (26 August).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The two leaders also reiterated their commitment to further strengthen the cooperation in multilateral fora, including the Quad and they agreed to remain in touch, according to the readout.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was the first time Modi and Biden spoke to each other on the issue of Bangladesh since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as prime minister and her escape to India on 5 August in the face of weeks of street protests by students.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Modi also briefed Biden on his recent visit to Ukraine and reiterated India’s consistent position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy and expressed full support for the early return of peace and stability.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indian PMO claimed that Modi discussed the current situation in Bangladesh with Biden during the phone call. However, a statement issued by the White House on Tuesday (27 August) regarding the conversation between Biden and Modi did not mention the Bangladesh issue.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The White House statement read that Biden discussed Ukraine and other issues with Modi. There was no mention of whether the two leaders talked about the Bangladesh issue.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The statement also read President Biden commended Modi 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.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">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 emphasised their continued commitment to work together, including through regional groups like the Quad, to contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>