Indian statement on Modi-Biden talk is ‘faithful and accurate’ record of events: MEA

New Delhi, August 30

On the discrepancy between wording in the Indian and US statements earlier this week, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said “our press release is an accurate and faithful record of what transpired in the conversation”.

The issue has arisen after India and the US issued statements on August 26, following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden.

The Indian statement mentioned that the PM raised the issue of Hindus in Bangladesh, while the White House in its statement did not mention Bangladesh.

Congress leader Pawan Khera had questioned on X, “If our Prime Minister did raise the issue of ‘safety and security of the minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh, why did Joe Biden not think it was important enough to mention in his press note?”

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “I am aware of the contents of the conversation between the Prime Minister and the President and I can tell you that our press release is an accurate and faithful record of what transpired in the conversation.”

Jaiswal said the absence of an aspect in one press release or the other is not evidence of its absence in the conversation itself.

Claims being made in India are uninformed and motivated and betray a total lack of familiarity with the process of how such contacts between leaders are organised and then followed up on, the MEA spokesperson added.

Press releases issued after such conversations between leaders are not like ‘joint statements’ where every word is negotiated and mutually agreed upon, Jaiswal said.

Such press releases are not meant to be comprehensive readouts of such conversations and it is not unusual for two sides to emphasize different aspects of the same conversation in their respective readouts.

On being asked about the floods in Bangladesh, he said the MEA had seen a report on the flood situation. “Its narrative is misleading and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods. This is factually not correct.”

India and Bangladesh have regular and timely exchange of data and critical information between the two countries through existing joint mechanisms for water resources management. In case there is any new mechanism put forth we can take it forward with Bangladesh, Jaiswal added.

On the future of Shiekh Hasina, Jaiswal said she came to India at a very short notice for reasons of safety. “We have nothing further to add on the matter.”

On being asked about the multiple issues that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raised in his media interaction, Jaiswal said “The Ukrainian side has their perspective on various matters and is sharing them with the media.”

India will be guided by the bilateral discussions including the exchange of views during the visit of PM Modi to Kyiv. “We believe it will pave the way for stronger bilateral ties apart from facilitating more forward-looking discussions on the possibility of peaceful resolution of the conflict.”