US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has stated that Bangladesh remains a hotspot for the “persecution, killing, and abuse” of religious minorities.
Speaking to NDTV, Gabbard, who is in India, emphasised the US government’s deep concern over the alleged mistreatment of Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and other religious minorities in Bangladesh.
In her remarks, Gabbard also pointed to the rise of extremist elements, accusing them of aiming to establish an “Islamist caliphate” in Bangladesh. She said this threat posed a significant challenge for the US government, underlining President Donald Trump’s commitment to addressing the global threat of Islamist terrorism.
The US intelligence chief’s comments highlighted the ongoing concerns of the Trump administration regarding the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh and the country’s struggle with extremism. She further added that discussions with Bangladesh’s interim government, under President Yunus, were just beginning, with terrorism and religious persecution as major focus areas.
Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, swiftly rejected Gabbard’s remarks, labelling them as “misleading” and damaging to the country’s international reputation. The government stated that Gabbard’s statements, made during her visit to India, were not supported by any evidence or specific allegations, and unfairly painted Bangladesh with a broad, unfounded brush.
“The remarks are damaging to the image of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been inclusive and peaceful,” the statement from the Chief Adviser’s office said. “We strongly condemn any efforts to link Bangladesh to the idea of an ‘Islamist caliphate,’” it continued, emphasising the country’s commitment to combating extremism through law enforcement and social reforms.
Despite the pushback from Bangladesh, Gabbard’s comments underscore the growing concerns within the US about religious intolerance and extremism in Bangladesh, reinforcing the Trump administration’s ongoing stance on combating Islamist terrorism globally.
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