Biden and Modi discuss Bangladesh.

 

File photo: US President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet with senior officials and CEOs of American and Indian companies in the East Room of the White House in Washington, US, June 23, 2023. File photo: Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein

The situation in Bangladesh was raised during talks between US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Biden's private residence in Wilmington, Delaware, yesterday.

 Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Modi and Biden also exchanged views on the situation in Bangladesh.

 Vikram made these remarks during a media briefing in Washington, responding to a question from a Doordarshan journalist about whether Bangladesh was part of the discussions between the two leaders and if he could provide details of the conversation.

 "As I mentioned, these discussions often cover regional topics that may be of bilateral interest to one party but have broader significance beyond the region. In this context, several situations were discussed. Bangladesh was also a part of the discussions, and there was an exchange of views on the situation there."

Vikram did not provide further details.

This marked the first time Bangladesh was discussed between Modi and Biden during an in-person bilateral meeting since the leadership change in the country following Sheikh Hasina's ouster as prime minister on August 5, driven by a student-led mass movement that resulted in her fleeing to India.

The exchange of views on Bangladesh between Modi and Biden occurred against the backdrop of reports suggesting that Professor Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, may meet with Biden in the US later this week.

 The possibility of a first in-person meeting between Modi and Yunus has been ruled out, as the chief adviser will be traveling to the US only after Modi returns to India from his three-day visit.