Meanwhile, the US’s security chief found herself recently buttonholed by the Indian media, pressured into making remarks that may have been ill-advised.

The U.S. State Department’s handling of the matter gained attention following comments made by Tulsi Gabbard, the director of National Intelligence, during her visit to India.

On Monday, Gabbard voiced concerns about minority oppression in Bangladesh after being prompted by a leading question from an NDTV journalist.

Afterwards, in a routine press briefing on March 17, newly appointed U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce was asked about the security of religious minorities in Bangladesh in Washington.

She emphasized that such matters require careful consideration and should not be hastily addressed in public. Bruce also highlighted the importance of diplomatic deliberation before any official remarks are made on the issue.

The question was prompted by a journalist’s reference to previous concerns voiced by former President Donald Trump, who had in recent times highlighted attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

Seeking an update, the reporter pressed for an assessment from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has been in office for nearly two months.

However, Bruce sidestepped the inquiry, insisting that the administration would not speculate on diplomatic engagements or offer premature commentary on ongoing discussions.

"Once again, you are referring to President Trump’s perspective on how the U.S. administration views developments in other countries," Bruce said, before reiterating the administration’s commitment to handling such sensitive matters with care.

When pressed further, she firmly reinforced the idea that public speculation would not be part of the administration’s approach.

India’s propaganda and US’s indifferent stance

Since the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, reports suggest a concerted effort by a number of Indian news organizations to amplify a narrative that portrays the country as spiraling into religious unrest, particularly targeting its minority communities.

These outlets, often aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have been accused of sensationalizing violence, casting a shadow over Bangladesh's internal affairs.

NDTV, one of India's oldest and once fiercely independent news channels, has been playing a leading role in propaganda against Bangladesh.

Known for its critical stance against the establishment, NDTV’s editorial independence came under scrutiny after it was acquired by Gautam Adani’s AMG Media Network, a business group closely linked to Modi’s government.

Since the acquisition, NDTV has been increasingly accused of toeing the BJP’s line, particularly in its portrayal of events in Bangladesh.

The network’s penchant for portraying Bangladesh in bad light recently became evident when it took an exclusive interview of Tulsi Gabbard.

Gabbard, whose personal beliefs align with Sanatan Dharma and who has expressed vocal support for Hindu causes, appeared in the interview with a set of questions that seemed crafted to elicit answers reinforcing the perception of escalating religious violence in Bangladesh.

In her responses, she echoed the Trump administration’s stance on combating “Islamist terrorism” globally, framing Bangladesh within that context.

She also emphasized ongoing U.S. concerns about the persecution of Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians in Bangladesh.

Strong response from Bangladesh

The interview further stoked tensions, with Bangladesh’s interim government formally protesting Gabbard’s comments.

The government issued a statement expressing “deep concern and disappointment,” rejecting the portrayal of religious persecution as “Indian propaganda rather than factual evidence.”

This back-and-forth has only fueled the broader narrative war, with both sides digging in their heels over the truth of religious minorities' security in Bangladesh.

Analysts believe that in this tangled media and diplomatic landscape, the battle for truth—whether in Bangladesh or on the international stage—is far from over.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s foreign Affairs Advisor Tawhid Hossain vehemently criticized Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks, calling them "misleading and damaging to Bangladesh’s image and reputation."

He emphasized that Bangladesh has long been recognized for its peaceful and inclusive practice of Islam, pointing to the country’s significant strides in combating extremism and terrorism.

Analysts argue that Indian media’s portrayal of Bangladesh is part of a broader disinformation campaign. Many influential Indian outlets, often referred to as “Godi Media” due to their perceived closeness to the Modi government, have been accused of intentionally amplifying false narratives to influence regional perceptions.

Al Jazeera’s investigative reports have previously uncovered a sophisticated network of fake news portals and propaganda efforts allegedly funded by the Indian government, designed to sway opinions about neighboring countries.

Observers now believe that a similar strategy is being employed against Bangladesh, with the goal of depicting the country as unstable and hostile toward its religious minorities.

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