US watching Bangladesh with growing unease: Gabbard

The United States is watching Bangladesh with growing unease, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told NDTV World on Monday, March 17. 

In an exclusive interview, she zeroed in on the persecution of religious minorities—Hindus, Buddhists, Christians—and linked it to a broader battle against “Islamist terrorism,” a priority she says drives the Trump administration’s global agenda.  

“The long-time persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities has been a major worry for the U.S. government,” Gabbard declared, speaking with the conviction of a new Cabinet under President Donald Trump. 

“It’s a central focus.” She pointed to rising “Islamic extremism and terrorist elements” in Bangladesh, noting early talks between Trump’s team and the interim government there. 

“The conversations are just starting, but this isn’t going away,” she warned.  

Gabbard framed the threat as ideological—a push for an “Islamic Caliphate” uniting extremist groups worldwide. 

“Their goal is to rule with this vision, targeting anyone outside their accepted faith,” she said. “They pursue it through terror—violent, ruthless means.” For Trump, it’s personal: “He’s determined to name this ideology and crush it, ending radical Islamic terrorism’s rise.”  

Beyond violence, Gabbard flagged Bangladesh’s budding ties with Pakistan’s ISI over the past two months as a “major cause of concern.” 

The synergy, she hinted, amplifies the stakes—regional stability teetering as extremism finds new footholds.