Days after two different readouts of the call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden created confusion over the topics of discussion between them, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that "press releases issued after such conversations between leaders are not like joint statements where every word is negotiated and mutually agreed upon."
After his historic visit to Ukraine, PM Modi held a telephonic conversation with President Biden where they had a detailed exchange of views on various regional as well as global issues. Apart from discussing the situation in Ukraine, the two leaders reviewed the significant progress in bilateral relations.
"The two leaders expressed their shared concern over the situation in Bangladesh. They emphasised restoration of law and order and ensuring safety and security of the minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh," said an official statement by the External Affairs Ministry.
Meanwhile, the White House issued a separate statement, saying Biden commended 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." The White House readout, however, made no mention of the discussions on Bangladesh, which raised questions over whether the topic was discussed.
"The absence of an aspect of one press release or the other is not evidence of its absence in the conversation itself. I am very much aware of the contents of the conversation between the Prime Minister and the US President and I can tell you that our press release is an accurate and faithful record of what transpired in the conversation," said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
"The subject of Bangladesh, which has been highlighted by certain quarters, was very much discussed substantially by both leaders," he added.
A political crisis unfolded in Bangladesh after its Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India this month. The leader's downfall began with student-led protests against a quota system for government jobs. As government forces clashed violently with demonstrators, resulting in hundreds of deaths, the movement expanded into a broader rebellion against the leader and her government.
According to reports, there have dozens of attacks against against Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh since Hasina’s ouster.
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