U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a phone call, praising him for his "message of peace and ongoing humanitarian support" for Ukraine, the White House said.
The conversation followed PM Modi's visit to Kyiv on 23 August, which was widely seen as a diplomatic balancing act. His recent trip to Russia had drawn criticism from the Biden administration and concern in several Western capitals.
During his visit to Ukraine, PM Modi urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leaders to engage in dialogue to end the ongoing conflict. He also offered India's assistance in facilitating peace talks.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Biden said, "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." He added, "We also affirmed our commitment to working together to contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific."
This marks the first call between the two leaders since PM Modi's visits to Russia, Poland, and Ukraine, as well as recent developments in Bangladesh.
According to a White House readout of the call, Biden and PM Modi discussed the prime minister's historic visits to Poland and Ukraine, which were the first by an Indian leader in decades.
Biden praised PM Modi for his role in promoting peace and for India's ongoing humanitarian support for Ukraine, particularly in its energy sector.
The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, in line with international law and the UN Charter.
Additionally, Biden and PM Modi highlighted their ongoing cooperation, including through regional groups like the Quad, to foster peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
However, the White House did not mention Bangladesh in its readout, despite a reference to the country in a post by PM Modi on X.
PM Modi said he and Biden had an in-depth discussion on various regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine. He reiterated India's support for the swift return of peace and stability.
PM Modi also mentioned the situation in Bangladesh, stressing the importance of restoring normalcy and ensuring the safety and security of minorities, particularly Hindus. India's government has been actively advocating for the protection of minority communities in Bangladesh amidst ongoing political unrest in the country.
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