US Intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks about Bangladesh lack evidence, says Chief Advisor’s Office

Bangladesh strongly condemns any efforts to link the country to any form of Islamist caliphate, the statement reads

The Chief Advisor’s Office (CAO) has responded to US Intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard’s comments alleging persecution and killing of religious minorities in Bangladesh and that the threat of Islamic terrorists in the country is aimed at establishing an Islamist caliphate.

At a statement on Monday night, the CAO said: “We note 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.

“This statement is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh.”

In an interview with the Indian news channel NDTV World on Monday, Gabbard 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 and his administration."

While speaking about the ideology of an "Islamic caliphate" during the conversation about Bangladesh in the interview, the US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) said: "The threat of Islamist terrorists and the global effort of different terror groups are routed 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 violent ways and means."

The CAO said, “Bangladesh is 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 that paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush.

“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.

“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.

“Bangladesh strongly condemns any efforts to link the country to any form of ‘Islamist caliphate’.”

“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, to fan fears and potentially even stoke sectarian tensions,” the statement read.

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