US spy chief Gabbard’s remarks raises the hackles in Bangladesh

Washington senses danger in some developments but immediate or direct intervention is a far cry

By P.K Balachandran

Colombo, March 18 – The remarks on Bangladesh made by the US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in an interview to NDTV on Monday has given rise to speculation in Dhaka about a US plan to intervene using the persecution of the minorities issue.

Gabbard had said, “Bangladesh is a major area of concern” for the United States, citing the persecution of religious minorities.

“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 US government, President Trump and his administration.”

“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 threat of Islamist terrorists, and their overall effort, the global effort of all of these different groups, are rooted in the same ideology and objective — which is to rule or govern with an Islamist Caliphate. “

“This obviously affects people of any other religion, other than the one that they find acceptable, and they chose to carry this out with terror and very violent ways and means. President Trump remains committed to identifying the ideology that drives Islamist terrorism, and working to defeat this ideology and their ability to exact that terror on people, the American people and others,” Gabbard said.

Bangladesh Trash’s Gabbard’s Remarks

Reacting to Gabbard’s remarks the Interim Government on Monday said groundlessly linking Bangladesh to the idea of an “Islamist caliphate” undermines the hard work of countless Bangladeshis and their friends and partners around the world who are committed to peace, stability and progress.

In a statement shared by the Chief Adviser’s press wing, the government said Bangladesh strongly condemns any efforts to link the country to any form of “Islamist caliphate”.

“The government noted with deep concern and distress the remarks made by DNI Tulsi Gabbard, in which she alleged “persecution and killing” of religious minorities in Bangladesh and that “the threat of Islamic terrorists” in the country is rooted in the ideology and objective to rule and govern with an Islamist caliphate.”

Gabbard’s statement, the interim government said, is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism.

“Gabbard’s comments are not based on any evidence or specific allegations. They paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush,” said the government.

Bangladesh, like many countries around the world, has faced challenges of extremism, but it has continuously worked in partnership with the international community, including the US, to address these issues through law enforcement, social reforms, and other counterterrorism efforts, the government said.

Political leaders and public figures should base their statements, especially about the most sensitive issues, on actual knowledge and take care not to reinforce harmful stereotypes, fan fears, and potentially even stoke sectarian tensions, the statement said.

“In support of our shared global efforts to combat extremism and terrorism, the Interim government of Bangladesh remains committed to engaging in constructive dialogue based on facts and on respect for the sovereignty and security of all nations,” added.

Will the US intervene?

The US has recently shifted its stance toward Bangladesh, notably with President Trump’s executive order in January 2025 suspending all USAID operations in the country as part of a broader foreign aid review. This move suggests a pullback rather than an escalation of involvement, at least in the short term. The suspension has hit Bangladesh hard, given its reliance on US aid—around U$ 401 million annually, plus US$ 2.4 billion for the Rohingya crisis since 2017.

This could signal that the US is more focused on reassessing its global commitments than stepping into Bangladesh’s internal chaos.

That said, the US has a vested interest in Bangladesh’s stability. It’s a key economic partner—Bangladesh is the US’s 38th largest goods supplier, with US$ 7.72 billion in imports in 2023—and a strategic player in the Indo-Pacific, where the US aims to counter China’s influence.

The interim government’s potential tilt toward China, alongside rising Islamist activity, might raise concerns in Washington. Past US actions, like visa restrictions in 2023 against Bangladeshi officials undermining democracy, show a preference for diplomatic pressure over boots on the ground.

Direct Intervention Rule Out

Bangladesh’s military has hinted at stepping in if unrest worsens, as seen in General Waker-Uz-Zaman’s March 2025 warning of “anarchy” threatening sovereignty. The US would likely hesitate to act unilaterally when local forces are poised to take charge. Plus, the White House denied involvement in Hasina’s ouster, calling such claims “simply false” in August 2024, indicating a reluctance to get entangled in Bangladesh’s domestic upheaval.

If law and order collapse further—say, if gang violence or Islamist militancy spirals out of control—the US might consider indirect support, like bolstering UN peacekeeping efforts (Bangladesh is a top contributor) or offering technical aid to security forces.

But a full-on intervention? That’s a long shot without a dramatic escalation, like a regional security crisis or a direct threat to US interests. For now, the US seems more likely to watch, pressure, and adjust aid than to send in forces. What happens next depends on how Yunus’s government—and the military—handle the mess.

Yunus to go to China

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is likely to visit China from March 26-29 to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference and sit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a bilateral meeting.

“We are preparing for the visit of the chief adviser, exploring what we can do. This includes the possibility of signing bilateral agreements,” a diplomatic source in Dhaka told The Daily Star sai on Monday.

The BFA conference, known as the Asian Davos, is held in Boao, southern Hainan province. Prof Yunus was invited by the BFA Secretary General Zhang Jun. The chief adviser will fly to Hainan in the evening of March 26 in a special flight provided by the Chinese authorities.

“Last week, the Chinese embassy in Dhaka informed the foreign ministry of the bilateral meeting. Accordingly, the chief adviser expressed his willingness to visit China,” a foreign ministry official said.

Many heads of international and regional organisations, ministerial-level officials, entrepreneurs of Fortune Global 500, and renowned experts and scholars have already confirmed their participation in the annual conference.

With the theme “Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future”, this year’s BFA event will focus on development, foster dialogue, explore innovative formats, and value tangible outcomes, all aimed at promoting international development and cooperation, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

The foreign ministry official said after attending the BFA, Prof Muhammad Yunus will fly to Beijing for the bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping, who visited Bangladesh in 2016.

The bilateral trade between Bangladesh and China is US$ 24 billion, with Bangladesh exporting less than US$ 1 billion a year. China is also a major source of foreign loans for Bangladesh’s infrastructure development.

Bangladesh joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative. On several occasions, China has proposed Bangladesh join the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative. Bangladesh, however, has yet to respond to the offers.

During the visit of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to China in early July last year, Bangladesh had sought Chinese support in the development of Bangladesh’s southern region as the Padma Bridge has connected it to the rest of Bangladesh. With the political changeover here, that initiative remains dormant.

END