MEA Says Biden, PM Modi Discussed Bangladesh 'Substantially’ During Phone Call, Slams Misleading Reports On Floods

The external affairs ministry on Monday said that US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘very much discussed substantially’ the situation in Bangladesh when both leaders spoke over a phone call earlier this week.

“The subject of Bangladesh, which has been highlighted by certain quarters, was very much discussed substantially by both leaders,” ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

The external affairs ministry also said that the joint projects between India and Bangladesh have been impacted by the law and order situation following the job quota protests.

The student-led job quota protests and the subsequent turmoil that gripped Bangladesh leading to a law-and-order situation that led to the deaths of over 600 people and injured thousands.

Jaiswal also slammed certain media reports that allegedly made it appear that India was responsible for the floods in Bangladesh. “We have seen the CNN report on the flood situation in Bangladesh. Its narrative is misleading and suggests that India is somehow responsible for the floods,” speaking of a report by the US-broadcaster.

The heavy floods, which killed at least 18 people in Bangladesh, have added to the challenges of a new government that took charge as over 300,000 people are still in emergency shelters requiring aid. More than 5.2 million have been affected by the floods.

Following the floods, misinformation was spread through social media and some Bangladeshi media outlets, which appeared to blame India for the floods.

The external affairs ministry in a press release earlier this month pointed out that misinformation is being spread regarding the floods and said such claims are factually inaccurate.

“This is factually not correct and ignores the facts mentioned in the press releases issued by the Government of India clarifying the situation. They have also ignored that we have a regular and timely exchange of data and critical information between the two countries through existing joint mechanisms for water resources management,” Jaiswal said of the broadcaster while also referring to the press release by the ministry that targeted the misleading claim.

False claims of Tripura’s Gomati River’s Dumbur Dam releasing its water into Bangladesh, of water not being released automatically and misleading photographs with captions related to the floods, falsely holding India responsible for Bangladesh’s floods have spread on Bangladeshi social media platforms following the heavy rains.