US President Donald Trump countered the rumors of US "deep state" involvement in Bangladesh's politics, strongly asserting that there was no interference and passing the buck to India in handling its relationship with the neighboring nation.
This was during a time when tensions were increasing in Bangladesh, especially with regard to unrest and attacks on minority Hindus, which were among the concerns Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised during their bilateral discussions.
When questioned by reporters regarding the situation in Bangladesh, Trump made it clear, "There is no role for our (US) deep state. This is something that the Prime Minister has been dealing with for a long time and has been working on for hundreds of years. I will leave Bangladesh to the Prime Minister." Trump's statement clearly indicated that the US would not interfere in the internal politics of Bangladesh, especially in the wake of recent violence due to student-led protests, which resulted in the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government.
At the moment, an interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus is governing day-to-day activities in Bangladesh, an era characterized by attacks on Hindus, arrest of monks, and the burning of several temples. Trump had earlier denounced the attacks on Hindus and Christians as "barbaric" following his presidential win in November.
Sheikh Hasina last year blamed the US for masterminding plots to oust her from office for not giving permission for a US military airbase on St Martin's Island, a strategically positioned island in the Bay of Bengal.
During a subsequent press conference, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri offered more information, saying India wanted to have "constructive and stable relations" with Bangladesh. He said Prime Minister Modi had expressed his concern and perspective regarding the situation in Bangladesh in the course of the meetings. "There are apprehensions about that situation, and the PM articulated those views," Misri added.
Outside the White House, protests took place, organized by supporters of Hasina's Awami League and affiliated groups, who were demonstrating against Yunus’ government. These protests coincided with PM Modi’s visit, with protesters holding placards reading "Step down Yunus" and "Minority killer."
A recent United Nations fact-finding report also highlighted the violence against Hindus under the Yunus administration, adding to the international scrutiny of the situation in Bangladesh.
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