The U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has remarked about Islamic terrorist groups like ISIL and Daesh can potentially take root in Bangladesh in a U.S. Congressional hearing on his recent rebalance visit to the sixth Asia Pacific region held on Friday as questioned by the House Small Business Committee Chair and State of Ohio’s first congressional district representative from the Republican Party, Steven Joseph Chabot. 

As Chabot focused on Bangladesh, Blinken said, “I am glad you are putting focus on that. That is the concern we very much share and we have seen a series of terrorist attacks in Bangladesh over the last several months, including the ones you have referred to, which the government has sometimes claimed these are actually the work of the opposition, one fashion or another, but we have seen based on the evidence, to date in fact, extremist group whether they are indigenous or affiliated with ISIL or Daesh are responsible. This gives us concern about the potential for ISIL or Daesh to take root in Bangladesh, which you rightly pointed out, has been in an important country, in terms of having a moderate Muslim country orientation, it can be an important player in dealing with the problem. So, as a result of that, we have been both engaging with the government on this problem. Also, for example, with India, given the relationship between India and Bangladesh, to raise the concern and try to work together with them on countering terrorism before it take root in Bangladesh. That is the last thing we want.”

To watch the video, click here: https://fb.watch/aJq0EDuYKB/

To read the original text of the US House Chair Chabot and US Secretary of State Blinken, click here: Chabot_Blinken_TEXT