‘Hindu extremism and…’: BNP chief Tariq Rehman’s adviser’s key comments on India relations after Bangladesh win

Humayun Kabir, advisor to BNP Paribas Chairman Tariq Rahman

“Hindu extremism and far-right intolerance” are spreading in India, Humayun Kabir, an adviser to Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Tariq Rehman, said on Saturday, describing radicalization as a broader South Asian problem. He also called for a balanced and cooperative relationship with New Delhi as the BNP prepares to form the next government after a landslide election victory.

Speaking to PTI, Kabir said, “Radicalization is a problem in South Asia. We see Hindu extremism and far-right intolerance growing in Indian society, and in Pakistan we hear about extremists as well. In Bangladesh, although not to that extent, there are some issues,” he said.He stressed that local governments must work together rather than operating in isolation.“This is why we all need to share counterterrorism evidence and assessments and strengthen cooperation. Isolation without information exchange or security cooperation will only hinder progress,” Kabir said.“Cooperation at all levels is important and is the norm in diplomacy, especially between democratically elected governments in our region. Going forward, information sharing and joint efforts will build confidence in detecting and tracking terrorists and extremists in the region,” he added.Kabir also addressed India’s concerns about the safety of minorities, especially Bangladeshi Hindus.Referring to the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina, he said: “In the last 15 years under the Hasina regime, there was a deep and uneasy feeling that the foreign policy was more in line with India than with Bangladesh. These concerns will continue to exist. “He said the BNP would pursue what he called a more balanced foreign policy.“What we want is a balanced relationship. We will not limit our relationship to one country and we will not accept any agreement that prevents us from doing business with other countries. We will avoid such agreements and disclosures,” he said.On allegations of violence against minorities, Kabir maintained that communal harmony prevails in Bangladesh.“The violence against minorities in India is different from that in Bangladesh, where there is social harmony,” he said.Giving the background of the political transition, he added, “Bangladesh has been without a government for five days after the August 5 uprising, but no one is attacking minorities as our leader Tariq Rahman urged people to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands.”“He provided calm leadership to ensure stability until an interim government was formed. In Bangladesh, Muslims and minorities coexist peacefully and communal harmony is strong,” Kabir said.The comments came as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a landslide victory with a more than two-thirds majority in parliamentary elections held after the 2024 uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina.In the wake of recent violence, the safety of minority groups has come under renewed scrutiny. Just days before the assembly elections, 62-year-old Hindu businessman Susen Chandra Sarkar was hacked to death in his shop in Mymensingh district. Unidentified assailants attacked him with sharp weapons and then fled the scene, police said.