Minority Watch, Washington D.C.— Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed on Wednesday that he discussed the situation in Bangladesh with newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz during his visit to Washington, D.C.
“We had a brief discussion on Bangladesh,” Jaishankar said in response to a query at a press conference, adding, “It is not appropriate for me to share more details.”
Jaishankar’s visit included attending Donald Trump’s swearing-in as the 47th US president, followed by his first bilateral talks with Rubio and Waltz under the new administration.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained since the dismissal of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5 and the installation of an army-backed interim administration led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.
India has raised concerns over escalating attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, including the destruction of their properties and places of worship.
In December, the Coalition of Bangladeshi American Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians appealed to President-elect Trump to address the “existential threat” faced by minorities in Bangladesh due to rising Islamist violence. They also called for the release of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, warning of potential regional destabilization.
The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) echoed these concerns in November, highlighting over 200 attacks on Hindus, including assaults on temples, since the Awami League government fell.
Jaishankar’s dialogue with Rubio and Waltz underscores the importance of addressing these issues amidst growing international scrutiny of Bangladesh’s minority rights and political stability.