A U.S. official refuses to comment on 'negotiations and diplomacy' regarding Bangladesh's minorities

U.S. Official Declines to Comment on Diplomacy Concerning Bangladeshi Minorities

On Tuesday, U.S. Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to provide details on how the Trump administration might address the situation of Bangladeshi minorities, emphasizing that such decisions are subject to "negotiations with Bangladesh and diplomatic considerations."

Following the ouster of pro-Indian leader Sheikh Hasina on August 5 last year, Indian media and numerous politicians have repeatedly alleged widespread attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus. Meanwhile, Indian lobby groups have reportedly sought to influence U.S. foreign policy on Bangladesh, fearing a loss of India's predominantly one-sided interests in its neighboring country. These efforts may have contributed to President Donald Trump’s pre-election concerns over "attacks on minority religious groups in Bangladesh."

During a press briefing early Tuesday, a journalist raised these concerns and inquired about Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s actions on the matter, now sixty days into his tenure.

“Secretary Rubio, of course, follows through with [Trump’s] vision and the nature of the choices that are made in that regard,” Tammy Bruce stated in Washington, according to India-based Gujarat Samachar.

However, she refrained from elaborating, adding, “When it comes to negotiations, diplomatic considerations, and the conversations involved, I don’t want to presume what the outcome will be. You wouldn’t want me to do that either. I think the best approach would be to…”

Before she could finish, the journalist attempted to ask another question on the issue, but Bruce politely declined.

“What I’m not going to address are diplomatic considerations, government-to-government discussions, or policy approaches regarding a specific country, as these belong within the scope of diplomatic dialogue,” she explained, as reported by Yes Punjab, another Indian media outlet.

Bruce’s remarks follow comments by U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who recently made critical statements about Bangladesh's treatment of minorities.

Speaking in New Delhi, Gabbard claimed that the persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh “remains a central focus area of concern” for the U.S.

Bangladesh’s interim government has strongly rejected these remarks, calling them “misleading” and “unsubstantiated.”