Bangladesh has criticized Washington’s intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, saying her comments on religious violence in the South Asian country are baseless and risk inflaming communal tensions.
Gabbard arrived in India this week on a diplomatic visit, where Bangladesh’s relations with India have been strained since a student-led uprising last year toppled the country’s previous government. New Delhi has repeatedly accused its Muslim-majority neighbor of failing to adequately protect its minority Hindu citizens, accusations that the interim administration currently in power has denied.
But Gabbard was asked about the violence in Bangladesh in an interview with Indian broadcaster NDTV on Monday. “The unfortunate persecution, killings, and abuse of religious minorities has long been a major area of concern for the US government,” she said in response.
She said the issue, along with Islamist extremism, has become a “focal area of concern” and that the Trump administration has already raised these issues with the Bangladeshi government. Bangladesh responded in a statement on Monday night, saying Gabbard’s comments were both “misleading” and “damaging” to the country’s image and reputation.
“Political leaders and public figures should base their statements, especially on sensitive issues, on factual knowledge and be careful not to incite harmful stereotypes, fan fears, or potentially fuel communal tensions,” the statement said. Hindus make up about eight percent of Bangladesh’s population of 170 million.
In the chaotic days following the ouster of autocratic former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August, there was a series of attacks on Hindus, some seen as supporting her rule. The interim government that replaced him has insisted that many of the attacks were motivated by politics rather than religion.
The interim government has also accused the Indian media and government of spreading misleading information that exaggerates the dangers to Bangladeshi Hindus. Gabbard met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington last month after her confirmation as Director of National Intelligence under President Donald Trump.
The pair met again on Monday, and Gabbard praised the unwavering partnership between the United States and India while speaking at a geopolitical conference in New Delhi. “I am confident that this partnership and friendship between our two nations and our leaders will continue to grow and strengthen,” he said.
