Obama discussed Bangladesh with Modi

It was widely believed that Obama would discuss Bangladesh as he was visiting its close neighbour, India, where he touched upon a whole range of regional issues.

But, now, for the first time, it has been officially disclosed.

Phil Reiner, Senior Director, South Asia Affairs at the National Security Council of the White House, said this while replying to questions at a Washington press conference on Monday.

The briefing was on Obama’s India tour.

Obama was the first US President to be invited to India’s Republic Day celebrations.

The two leaders discussed regional peace and security.

Reiner was asked about Obama’s view on Bangladesh’s current situation as he and Modi discussed regional peace and security issues.

“Obviously, the situation in Bangladesh is a tense one, but I think the two leaders during this visit were able to point to the power of democratic forces and what it can do to empower all of its citizens.”

Reiner, replying to another question, said he had been able to see during the conversation between Obama and Modi that “the role that India’s democratic process and the example that it sets can play”.

“We have seen the power of that, the symbolic element of the world’s largest democratic election in history and the example that that it can set, perhaps, if we look to the situation in Sri Lanka.”

The ongoing BNP-sponsored blockade spewing a wave of deadly violence throughout Bangladesh began on Jan 5, marking the first anniversary of the 10th parliamentary poll.

The situation was fluid during Obama’s Jan 25-Jan 27 visit to India, with dozens killed by arson attacks on vehicles.

The BNP is demanding a snap general election after it boycotted the last year’s elections.

However, the US and India were not on the same page during that election.

The then Congress-led government in India backed the election while the US called for fresh election.