Trump denies US deep state role in Bangladesh regime change, passes question to Modi
While talking to reporters during a meeting yesterday, the US president left the issue for the Indian prime minister to address but Modi avoided it
US President Donald Trump has denied suggestions that the US deep state was involved in last year's mass uprising that led to the ouster of the Awami League administration and government changeover in Bangladesh and said he will leave the issue for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address.
He made the statement during a press briefing following a meeting with Modi at the White House in Washington, DC yesterday (13 February), according to media reports.
A journalist had asked for Trump's opinion on the Bangladesh issue, saying it was evident that the US deep state was involved in the regime change in Bangladesh during the Biden administration and the appointment of Prof Muhammad Yunus as the chief adviser of Bangladesh.
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In response, Trump said, "Well, there was no role for our deep state. This is something that the prime minister [Modi] has been working on for a long time and has been worked on for hundreds of years frankly. I've been reading about it.
"But I will leave Bangladesh to the prime minister [Modi to address]."
However, Modi, who during the bilateral meeting with Trump conveyed his concerns regarding the developments in the neighbouring country, avoided addressing the issue during the briefing and did not say anything about Bangladesh.
Later, while replying to questions, Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri told reporters, "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," he said, according to media reports.
"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," Misri said.
Tension has been rising between Bangladesh and India since the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government in a mass uprising led by students in August last year.
The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, has sought the extradition of Hasina, who fled to India on 5 August last year and is currently living in New Delhi with amenities provided by the Indian government.
India is yet to respond to Bangladesh's request to send back the ousted prime minister to stand trial for the atrocities committed by her administration during the nationwide protests in July-August of last year.
Indian Premier Modi is one of the first global leaders to travel to the US for an official visit and meet Trump after he took office for a second time last month.
The two leaders discussed issues ranging from weapons sales to trade when they met in Washington yesterday but in public remarks avoided the sensitive subjects of human rights and minority abuses.
Concerns over India's human rights track record have taken a bipartisan backseat in Washington in recent years as India gained clout by boosting its US trade and emerging as a partner in countering China, experts say. They note that Trump's second presidency will continue that trend.
Meanwhile, President Trump also announced a new trade agreement with India. Under this agreement, New Delhi will import more oil and gas from the US to help reduce its trade deficit with Washington.
Prime Minister Modi said India aims to double trade with the US by 2030. He posted on X, calling his White House meeting with Trump "excellent" and a boost to ties.
Also, India and the US are set to deepen their strategic partnership across key sectors, with Trump announcing that Washington is moving forward to provide India with F-35 fighter jets.
This follows extensive discussions with Modi, where both leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in areas like energy, critical technologies, and connectivity.
Trump said that military sales to India would increase by billions of dollars starting this year. He also confirmed that the US is working towards supplying India with advanced F-35 stealth fighters.
Trump said that he and Modi have reached a significant agreement, positioning the US as a leading supplier of oil and gas to India.
He pointed out that India's tariffs, which can exceed 70% on American goods like cars, pose a "major issue" and that US oil and gas exports will help address the trade deficit with India.
