The United States has voiced concerns regarding a rise in extremist activity in Bangladesh following the recent political upheaval that saw Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina removed from office. Former White House official Lisa Curtis, who served as the Trump administration’s senior director for South and Central Asia, acknowledged that Hasina’s leadership had effectively curbed extremism during her tenure. Curtis also stressed the need for vigilance in the current period of transition.
“We find ourselves at a critical juncture in Bangladesh,” Curtis remarked. “With the recent removal of Sheikh Hasina and emerging efforts to reform the political structure, there is a renewed optimism. Many hope for a strengthened democratic process.” However, Curtis noted with caution, “The situation is delicate, and a return of extremist elements would pose challenges not only for Bangladesh but also for the broader region and international community.”
The political transition unfolded on August 5, when mass protests originating from the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement forced the Awami League government from power. Only three days later, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed the role of chief advisor for the interim government, charged with steering Bangladesh towards a more representative political system. Despite the transition raising hopes for greater democracy, concerns about potential instability have emerged, particularly around the issue of religious extremism.
Curtis highlighted the release of certain Islamist extremists from detention, an act that has stoked fears of resurgent violence and attacks on religious minorities, including Hindus and Christians. She referenced Bangladesh’s fraught history with terrorism, notably the Holy Artisan Bakery attacks in 2016, which claimed the lives of 22 people, including foreign nationals. The attack, linked to ISIS-affiliated groups, was a tragic milestone in Bangladesh’s ongoing struggle against religious extremism.
“Sheikh Hasina did commendable work in countering extremism,” Curtis stated, adding that the United States recognises her efforts in containing such threats during her leadership. The US government acknowledges the previous administration’s success in maintaining stability and preventing extremist groups from gaining a foothold in the nation. “We understand that her administration’s measures helped avert larger-scale threats to the region and globally,” she added.
Curtis voiced concerns about how extremist elements might exploit the current political shift to reassert themselves, potentially causing destabilisation. “A resurgence of these groups would not only be detrimental to Bangladesh but also a risk to regional security, the United States, and the international community,” Curtis said. She urged the incoming administration under President-elect Donald Trump to closely monitor developments in Bangladesh, highlighting that while the country might not be a top foreign policy priority, it warrants attention.
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Another factor shaping the US stance on Bangladesh is India’s proximity and its own security concerns. Curtis urged the US administration to coordinate with India, given its vested interest in Bangladesh’s political direction. With shared cultural and security ties, India could be directly impacted by any rise in extremism within its neighbour, potentially influencing border security, migration, and regional stability.
Although the US has historically supported democratic progress in Bangladesh, Curtis advised caution in pressuring the country’s leadership too strongly on domestic policy shifts, emphasising instead the importance of supporting stability. “We should work with our allies in South Asia, particularly India, to ensure that Bangladesh continues on a secure and democratic path,” she advised.
The US’s concerns echo the broader sentiment that Bangladesh’s stability and security remain crucial to countering extremism in South Asia. Both regional allies and Western partners are attentive to how the interim government navigates its responsibilities amidst heightened tensions, and there is hope that international collaboration may support Bangladesh in countering destabilising forces.
Curtis reiterated her optimism that the democratic reform movement would lead to positive change, yet she cautioned that these transitions are particularly vulnerable to exploitation by destabilising forces. “We all share a vested interest in Bangladesh’s stability,” Curtis said.
