Bangladesh has rebuked the Chief of Intelligence of Washington, Tulsi Gabbard, saying that his comments on religious violence in the southern country were unfounded and risky sectarian tensions.
Gabbard arrived this week for a diplomatic trip to India, whose relations with Bangladesh have been grated since an uprising led by students overthrew the government of the last nation last year.
Nueva Delhi has repeatedly accused Bangladesh of not properly protecting its minority Hindu citizens, charges denied by the caregiver’s administration now in charge.
But Gabbard seemed to give credit to the claims when asked about violence in Bangladesh during a Monday interview with the Indian station NDTV.
“The unfortunate persecution, killing and abuse of religious minorities … It has been an important area of concern for the United States government,” he said in response.
He added that the problem, together with Islamist extremism, remained “central areas of concern approach” and said the Trump administration has already raised them with the Bangladesh government.
Bangladesh responded in a statement today that Gabbard’s comments were “misleading” and “harmful” to the country’s image and reputation.
“Political leaders and public figures should base their statements, especially on delicate issues, on real knowledge and be careful not to strengthen harmful stereotypes, fans’ fears or potentially envive sectarian tensions,” the statement said.
Hindus represent about eight percent of the 170 million people in Bangladesh.
In chaotic days after the expulsion of August of former first SHEIKH Hasina autocratic that was backed by India, there were a number of attacks against Hindus, seen by some as having supported his government.
Bangladesh has told India that she wants you to have, who fled to New Delhi after being expelled in August, returned to the country for the “judicial process,” said the interim chief of the country’s foreign ministry in December last year.
The caregiver that replaced it has insisted that many of these attacks were motivated by politics instead of religion.
He has also accused the media and the government of India to spread misinformation and exaggerate threats to Hindus of Bangladesh.
Gabbard met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington last month shortly after his confirmation as director of National Intelligence under President Donald Trump.
The couple met again on Monday and Gabbard used a speech for a geopolitical conference in New Delhi to praise the lasting association between the United States and India.
“I am sure that this association and friendship between our two nations and our leaders will continue to grow and strengthen,” he added.
