New Delhi: America is concerned about the persecution and killing of religious minorities in Bangladesh, especially Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard said Monday.
Gabbard highlighted Washington’s unease about “Islamist terrorism” in Bangladesh, and underscored US President Donald Trump’s commitment to defeat this ideology and prevent any future terrorist attacks.
“The long-time unfortunate persecution, killing and abuse of religious minorities—Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Catholics and others—have been a major area of concern for the United States government and of course President Trump and his administration,” Gabbard said in an interview with NDTV.
“The talks are just beginning between President Trump’s new cabinet coming in and the government of Bangladesh, but this continues to remain a central focus area of concern.”
The DNI added: “Once again, with the threat of Islamist terrorists and their overall effort, the global effort of all of these different groups that are really rooted in the same ideology and the same objective – to rule and govern with an Islamist Caliphate.”
Gabbard, who is on a multi-nation tour, her second since assuming her post, arrived in India Sunday and attended a security conclave chaired by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
The American DNI is set to address the Raisina Dialogue—an event organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Observer Research Foundation—Tuesday.
The comments come amidst the political churn in Bangladesh, which has impacted its minorities. In August 2024, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from office, following the months-long demonstrations by student protesters over the quota for veterans of families from the 1971 Liberation War.
An interim government was set up under Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus as its Chief Adviser. However, soon after Hasina’s ouster, minority groups faced a number of attacks, which Bangladesh played down, and labelled as “political” in nature due to their support for Hasina’s political party, the Awami League.
For India, the attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, has been a major concern. The MEA earlier this month called for an “inclusive” election in Bangladesh, while calling on Dhaka to ensure the safety and security of the minorities.
In December, New Delhi said that there were at least 2,200 incidents of violence against minorities in Bangladesh, following Hasina’s exit. At the time, Bangladesh rubbished the numbers, claiming that such reports are part of a media narrative against the country emanating from India.
However, the Bangladesh authorities have confirmed at least 1,254 incidents of attacks against minorities between August 2024 and February 2025, while at least 2,374 incidents have been reported.
Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden had met with Yunus last year, and offered Washington’s “continued support” towards Dhaka’s reform agenda. However, Trump has raised the issue of the welfare of minorities in Bangladesh.
The Biden administration was accused of destabilising Hasina’s government, and aiding in her ouster—allegations which Trump denied last month.
A month before the Presidential election last November, Trump in his greetings on Diwali, condemned the attacks against the Hindus in Bangladesh, in a statement on his social media platform Truth Social.
During a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump last month in the White House, the American president said that he would leave any questions on Bangladesh.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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