Govt Responds to US Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard’s Remarks on Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s interim government has strongly criticized remarks made by US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, saying her statements misrepresent the country’s situation and unfairly associate it with extremism.

In an interview with NDTV World, Gabbard alleged that religious minorities in Bangladesh face persecution and that the country harbors a threat of Islamic terrorism rooted in the ideology of an “Islamist caliphate.”

Responding to these claims, the interim government said that such assertions undermine the efforts of Bangladeshis and their international partners working toward peace, stability, and progress.

A statement issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing expressed “deep concern and distress” over Gabbard’s remarks.

“This statement 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,” the government said.

The statement emphasized that Gabbard’s claims were not based on evidence or specific incidents, instead painting the entire nation with a “broad and unjustified brush.”

While acknowledging that Bangladesh, like many countries, has faced challenges related to extremism, the government underscored its ongoing efforts in collaboration with the international community, including the US, to combat terrorism through law enforcement, social reforms, and counterterrorism measures.

The government also urged political leaders and public figures to ensure that their statements – especially on sensitive topics – are grounded in facts and do not reinforce harmful stereotypes or fuel sectarian tensions.

“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,” the statement said.