The United States has raised fresh concerns over Bangladesh’s escalating religious violence and the growing influence of Islamist extremism. US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, in an exclusive interview with NDTV World, emphasized the Trump administration’s focus on dismantling Islamist terror networks worldwide, with Bangladesh now a key area of concern.
Religious Persecution and Political Unrest
Bangladesh has witnessed a disturbing surge in attacks on religious minorities, with Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian communities bearing the brunt of extremist violence. Gabbard did not mince words when she said, “The longtime unfortunate persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others has been a major area of concern for the US government and President Trump.”
Her remarks come at a time of heightened instability in Bangladesh, where the overthrow of the Awami League government last August has led to a vacuum increasingly exploited by Islamist groups. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) recently reported 88 cases of religious violence in just a few months, with entire communities facing arson attacks, mob lynchings, and forced displacement.
The interim administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has been criticized for its inaction. While Yunus has acknowledged the violence, his government’s failure to rein in extremist elements has only deepened fears of a larger sectarian conflict.
Bangladesh-Pakistan Nexus Raises Alarm in India
Beyond the persecution of minorities, US officials are also monitoring Bangladesh’s growing ties with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Reports of ISI operatives operating within Bangladesh, particularly near India’s strategic Siliguri Corridor, have raised concerns in New Delhi. Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently underscored the threat, stating, “We must ensure that anti-India elements do not use Bangladeshi soil to facilitate terrorist activities.”
With increasing evidence of terrorist networks gaining ground in Bangladesh, India’s security establishment is on high alert. Intelligence reports suggest that radical groups have used Bangladesh as a safe haven, potentially fueling cross-border insurgencies in India’s northeastern states.
The ‘Islamic Caliphate’ Vision and Global Terrorism
Gabbard’s most striking warning focused on the global Islamist movement’s ideological drive toward an Islamic Caliphate. She stated, “The threat of Islamist terrorists and the global effort of different terror groups are rooted in the same ideology – to establish an Islamist Caliphate.”
Her remarks align with concerns that Bangladesh is becoming a battleground for radical groups like Jamaat-e-Islami, which has historically pushed for an Islamic state. Minority communities have become the prime targets of this agenda, facing forced conversions, land grabs, and violence aimed at erasing non-Muslim presence from the country.
A chilling example is the case of Pastor Sirajul, a Christian convert who narrowly escaped abduction and assassination. His home was surrounded by a militant mob on September 25, and he was warned that he could be attacked “any place, any time.” Other incidents include entire Hindu villages being burned down and families driven into exile.
India and US Step Up Counterterrorism Cooperation
With Bangladesh’s security situation deteriorating, India and the US have ramped up intelligence-sharing efforts. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval recently met with Gabbard in New Delhi to discuss counterterrorism strategies. Key areas of collaboration include cyber intelligence, terror financing crackdowns, and cross-border security.
New Delhi is also pressuring Dhaka to take decisive action against Islamist groups, particularly those suspected of having links with Pakistan. The arrest of ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh last month has further fueled unrest, with Hindu groups calling for stronger protections against rising extremism.
Trump’s Response: A Hands-Off Approach?
Despite US intelligence concerns, President Donald Trump has indicated that he prefers India to take the lead on Bangladesh. During a February meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump remarked, “This is something the Prime Minister has been working on for a long time. Frankly, I have been reading about it. I will leave Bangladesh to the Prime Minister.”
This hands-off approach signals a shift in US policy, with Washington appearing to defer to New Delhi’s regional influence. However, with the situation in Bangladesh deteriorating rapidly, it remains to be seen whether the US will maintain this stance or take a more active role in shaping the crisis response.
The Future of Religious Freedom in Bangladesh
The persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh is not new. The Hindu population, which once made up 22% of the country in the 1940s, has dwindled to less than 8% today, a direct consequence of decades of religious violence and systematic discrimination.
Under the interim government, extremist factions seem to be gaining unprecedented power, raising fears of further attacks. Christian organizations and Hindu advocacy groups are calling for international intervention before the crisis spirals further out of control.
As Gabbard prepares to address the Raisina Dialogue on March 18, her remarks on Bangladesh are expected to be closely analyzed. For now, religious minorities in Bangladesh remain under siege, bracing for an uncertain future in a nation rapidly shifting toward Islamist dominance.
