PM discusses Ukraine conflict, Bangladesh situation on phone with US President Biden

New Delhi, Aug 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden today, sharing a detailed exchange of views on key regional and global issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a tweet, Prime Minister Modi stated, “Spoke to @POTUS @JoeBiden on phone today.

We had a detailed exchange of views on various regional and global issues, including the situation in Ukraine. I reiterated India’s full support for early return of peace and stability. We also discussed the situation in Bangladesh and stressed on the need for early restoration of normalcy, and ensuring the safety and security of minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh.”

Prime Minister Modi has last week returned from Ukraine, where he spent approximately seven hours in the conflict-ridden capital, Last month Modi visited Moscow and met Russian President Putin. During his visit, Modi offered to help initiate peace talks, emphasizing that dialogue and diplomacy are the only paths to ending the conflict. He asserted that India has never been neutral in the war, stating, “Right from the first day, our side was peace,” referencing his visit to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Kyiv as a symbol of India’s commitment to non-violence.

Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar echoed this sentiment, underscoring the country’s dedication to peace. “Anything we can do to help—whether upfront, behind the scenes or in a supportive capacity—it is the objective we are interested in rather than the process,” Jaishankar said. “We are willing to do whatever we can because we do think that the continuation of this conflict is terrible for Ukraine, obviously, and for the world as well.”

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to engage in talks with Russia to end the war, offering to act as a “friend” to facilitate peace. The meeting marked the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine in modern history. As Moscow again attacks Ukraine through drones and missiles in retaliation to Kyiv’s cross-border incursion, Modi’s visit to the country highlights India’s proactive role in seeking a resolution to the conflict.