US President Joe Biden expressed his concerns about the safety of people in Bangladesh and the future of democratic institutions in the country during his call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, the White House said.
White House national security communications adviser John Kirby told a press conference on Wednesday that during the call, Biden and Modi “shared concerns” about the recent developments in Bangladesh.
“I mean, the president made clear his continued concerns about the safety and security of the people in Bangladesh and the future of their democratic institutions,” Kirby said.
The White House’s statement comes after the US readout of the August 26 call did not mention Bangladesh and focused only on the Ukraine-Russia war. However, PM Modi’s post on X and a statement issued by his office mentioned that Bangladesh was discussed during the telephone conversation.
“The two leaders expressed their shared concern over the situation in Bangladesh. They emphasized restoration of law and order and ensuring safety and security of the minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had said.
The External Affairs Ministry also noted last week that US President Biden and PM Modi Modi ‘very much discussed substantially’ the situation in Bangladesh when both leaders spoke over a phone call earlier this week.
“The subject of Bangladesh, which has been highlighted by certain quarters, was very much discussed substantially by both leaders,” ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said.
“We also discussed the situation in Bangladesh and stressed the need for early restoration of normalcy, and ensuring the safety and security of minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh,” PM Modi had said in an X post.
On the other hand, the White House readout of the conversation between the two leaders had no reference to Bangladesh, saying the two leaders discussed PM Modi’s recent trip to Poland and Ukraine.
“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,” it said.
(With agency inputs)
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