Donald Trump flags attacks on Hindus in B’desh, talks India ties

NEW DELHI: US presidential candidate Donald Trump condemned the Muhammad Yunus-led Bangladesh administration for failing to protect Hindus and vowed to strengthen his country’s partnership with India and “good friend” Prime Minister Narendra Modi while lashing out at Democratic rival Kamala Harris ahead of the November 5 polls.

“Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own southern border, but we will make America strong again and bring back peace through strength!” he said in a Diwali message on X.

“Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi. Also, happy Diwali to all. I hope the festival of lights leads to the victory of good over evil.”


His stand differed from the view of the US State Department, which had issued a statement asking the interim regime to protect minorities without naming any community. The current US administration is widely perceived as being supportive of the Bangladesh government.

Yunus took over in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina was deposed as Prime Minister in August following a popular uprising, taking refuge in India.

Trump was categorical in his criticism about the state of affairs in Bangladesh.

“I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. It would have never happened on my watch,” Trump said in his post on X.

He also vowed to protect Hindu Americans against “anti-religion agendas” and fight for their freedom.

This is the first time Trump has spoken on the issue of Bangladesh.

India also Raised the Issue
Since August, several members of the Hindu community have been attacked in Bangladesh and their properties and shops vandalised by Islamists. The issue has been raised multiple times by India, including at the level of the Prime Minister.

“We want to see the rights of minorities protected in Bangladesh as also is true all around the world,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters in mid-October.

During his term as president, Trump shared a warm relationship with Modi and both leaders have showcased their camaraderie publicly. The Prime Minister participated in the Howdy Modi community event in Texas in 2019, while the former President took part in the Namaste Trump event at the Narendra Modi cricket stadium in Ahmedabad in 2020.

dency would follow policies that would damage the economy.

“Kamala Harris will destroy your small businesses with more regulations and higher taxes,” he said. “By contrast, I cut taxes, cut regulations, unleashed American energy, and built the greatest economy in history. We will do it again, bigger and better than ever before, and we will Make America Great Again.”

Trump’s tweet came days before the US will vote in a highstakes presidential election on November 5. Early voting has begun in some states.