US President Donald Trump has refuted allegations of Washington’s "deep state" involvement in the unfolding political crisis in Bangladesh, asserting that the matter falls under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s purview.
The remarks came during a high-level bilateral discussion at the White House, where Modi conveyed India's concerns over recent developments in the neighbouring country.
At the outset of their meeting in the Oval Office, Trump, when asked about the alleged role of the US "deep state" in Bangladesh’s political turmoil, remarked, "Well, there was no role for our deep state… This is something that the Prime Minister has been working on for a long time and has been working on it for hundreds of years. Frankly, I’ve been reading about it, but I will leave Bangladesh to the Prime Minister."
Following the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the situation in Bangladesh was among the issues deliberated upon by the two leaders.
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"On what we make of the statement on Bangladesh… this was a subject that was discussed between the two leaders. And the Prime Minister shared his views and, indeed, his concerns with regard to recent developments in Bangladesh and how India sees the situation," Misri stated.
The crisis in Bangladesh, which intensified following the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August last year, has led to heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh.
The interim administration in Dhaka, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has sought Hasina’s extradition, a request to which New Delhi has yet to respond.
Additionally, disputes over border fencing have further strained relations.
Recent weeks have also witnessed the demolition of the residence of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a move that has elicited concern in New Delhi.
Misri expressed India's hope for stability in Bangladesh, remarking, "I think we hope that the situation in Bangladesh will also move forward in a direction where we can pursue relations in a constructive and stable way with them. But there are concerns about that situation. And the Prime Minister shared those views with President Trump."
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