Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks won’t affect Bangladesh-US relations: Salehuddin

Highlights

• Finance Adviser assures Gabbard's remarks won't impact Bangladesh-US ties
• Govt condemns Gabbard's comments as unfounded and damaging
• Congestion at Chattogram Port has decreased
• Bangladesh on track for LDC graduation by 2026

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed has assured that remarks made by Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence of the United States, will not impact the economic or bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the US.

Talking to reporters after a meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Government Procurement at the secretariat today (18 March), the adviser said that the country's relationship with the US remains unaffected.

His reaction came after Gabbard, in an interview with India's NDTV World yesterday (17 March), said, "The long-time unfortunate persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others has been a major area of concern for the US government and President Donald Trump and his administration."

She spoke about the ideology of an "Islamic Caliphate" and how extremist elements and terror groups globally aim for such an outcome.

Gabbard also said, "The threat of Islamist terrorists and the global effort of different terror groups are rooted in the same ideology and objective – which is to rule or govern with an Islamist Caliphate."

In response, the interim government strongly condemned her remarks in a statement issued yesterday evening.

The government said Gabbard's comments were not based on any evidence or specific allegations. "They paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush."

"This statement is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism," read the statement.

The government's statement further said that groundlessly linking Bangladesh to the idea of an "Islamist caliphate" undermines the hard work of countless Bangladeshis and their friends and partners around the world who are committed to peace, stability, and progress. 

"Bangladesh strongly condemns any efforts to link the country to any form of 'Islamist caliphate'," it said. 

'Country in good position now'

Asked about the congestion in unloading goods at Chattogram Port, Finance Adviser Salehuddin told reporters that the backlog has decreased.

Responding to a follow-up question from journalists on soybean oil shipments, he said they were aware of the situation. "Businessmen often bring up various issues… However, we are trying our best. The smarter they are, the smarter we must handle the situation."

Regarding potential negligence in the process, he stated that the Ministry of Commerce has been asked to look into the matter, but they have managed the situation well.

Salehuddin further said that Bangladesh's entry into the list of developing countries and its progress towards graduating from Least Developed Country (LDC) status is a matter of pride. 

The interim government is working towards the goal of LDC graduation by 2026, and any issues arising along the way will be addressed as they arise, he assured.

When journalists asked about a recent report by The Guardian, which claimed Bangladesh was on the brink of an economic crisis, the adviser said, "Bangladesh had been on the brink of a crisis during the previous government. But it has since emerged from that situation and is in a good economic position now."

He further challenged the accuracy of the foreign reports, saying, "They write many things. Does everyone outside always write with complete knowledge? Often, they mix in their own imagination while writing."