US President Joe Biden has praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his recent “message of peace” and “humanitarian support” for Ukraine, following Modi’s historic visit to Kyiv. The commendation came during a phone conversation between the two leaders on Monday, which was initiated by President Biden.
In his post on ‘X’, Biden highlighted Modi’s efforts to foster dialogue and peace between Ukraine and Russia, stating, “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.” Biden also expressed commitment to further collaboration with India to advance peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Modi’s visit to Ukraine, the first by an Indian prime minister since Ukraine’s independence in 1991, was notable for its emphasis on dialogue between Ukraine and Russia. During his visit, Modi urged President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in direct negotiations to end the conflict, and offered India’s assistance in facilitating peace efforts.
The phone call marked the first conversation between Biden and Modi following Modi’s recent travels to Russia, Poland, and Ukraine, as well as recent political developments in Bangladesh. Although the White House’s official readout did not mention Bangladesh, Modi had previously highlighted the issue in his ‘X’ post.
The White House acknowledged the significance of Modi’s visit to Ukraine and Poland, noting the prime minister’s role in advancing humanitarian support, including assistance to Ukraine’s energy sector. Biden and Modi reiterated their mutual support for resolving the Ukraine conflict in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.
White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby also commented on the call, emphasizing the US’s openness to any country willing to support President Zelenskyy’s peace proposal. Kirby indicated that the US welcomes efforts from international partners to contribute to a just peace for Ukraine.
In addition to discussing Ukraine, Modi and Biden also addressed the situation in Bangladesh, with Modi reiterating India’s commitment to supporting the safety and security of minorities, particularly Hindus, in the region.
Sources By Agencies
