President Joe Biden had a conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding India's support for the restoration of peace and stability in Ukraine. Modi also expressed concerns about the safety of Hindus and other religious minorities in neighboring Bangladesh following the recent political upheaval in the country.
The White House praised Modi's engagement with Ukraine and his visit to Poland, a close ally of Ukraine. They welcomed any country willing to support President Zelenskyy's efforts for peace by understanding his perspective.
During their meeting, Zelenskyy and Modi discussed Ukraine's peace formula, emphasizing territorial integrity and the withdrawal of Russian troops. Modi reiterated India's commitment to respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity as a top priority.
Modi's visit to Kyiv came after a meeting with Russian President Putin in Moscow, drawing criticism from Zelenskyy due to the timing coinciding with Russian missile strikes in Ukraine. India has historically maintained a strong relationship with Russia dating back to the Cold War era.
India's reliance on Russian oil has increased significantly due to sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies, with over 40% of India's oil imports now coming from Russia. Despite differences over Russia's actions in Ukraine, the U.S. and India continue to collaborate as key economic and strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
Modi also discussed the situation in Bangladesh, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned amid protests against a government job quota system. The protests escalated into a broader movement leading to Hasina's ouster and subsequent attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.
Modi emphasized the importance of restoring normalcy and ensuring the safety of minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh during his conversation with Biden. The call took place while Biden was vacationing with his family in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
