NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — The United States Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard voiced concern about religious minority persecution in Bangladesh and the potential growth of extremist ideologies within the country. In an interview with NDTV in New Delhi, Gabbard pointed out the Trump administration was firm on fighting worldwide “Islamist terrorism” and on preventing an “Islamic Caliphate.”
Gabbard underscored that the continued persecution of Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and other religious minorities in Bangladesh continues to be an important concern of the U.S. government. She added that President Trump and his administration are committed to acting on these issues and have opened talks with Bangladesh’s interim government to address the increase of Islamic extremism and terror elements in the nation.
The head of intelligence cautioned that all extremist groups have a common ideology that seeks to create an Islamist Caliphate that endangers people of all other faiths through terrorism. Gabbard reiterated President Trump is committed to locating and defeating these ideologies so that the spread of radical Islamic terrorism can be stopped.
In a related development, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi raised concerns regarding the presence of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials in parts of Bangladesh near India’s border, especially along the Siliguri corridor. He wants to ensure anti-India forces do not use Bangladeshi soil to send terrorists into India.
General Dwivedi emphasized India’s and Bangladesh’s close military ties, pointing out the need to avoid any actions capable of destabilizing regional stability. He also mentioned the agenda of Pakistan goes beyond Kashmir, where it is built around anti-India themes, and emphasized the need to counter them.
During a joint press conference in Washington last month, President Trump mentioned in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence that “I will leave Bangladesh to the Prime Minister.
The increased attention of the U.S. administration to Bangladesh is part of a larger interest in regional stability and the propagation of extremist ideologies.
