American President-elect Donald Trump’s former advisor has expressed concerns over atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh. He was likewise taken aback by the Biden administration for “not paying more attention to Bangladesh”.

"This is a moment of existential threat not only for the minorities of Bangladesh but for the entire country," said former USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore. Moore stated in an interview with ANI that Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States, is bringing with him an incredible team of advocates of American ideals who see India as an indispensable allies. "I am astonished that the current administration hasn't been paying more attention to Bangladesh. But the fact of the matter is, that one of the reasons why there's going to be a change of administration in the United States in just a few weeks is because the foreign policy of this administration has not paid attention to a lot of issues. That's why there are more than 50 conflicts all around the world, more since World War II," he said.

"But I can also tell you this, Donald Trump is coming to town in Washington DC and he's coming to town with an incredible team of advocates for American values, that view countries like India as indispensable allies in shaping the future of the world," Moore added. Moore, a former US Commissioner on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), discussed the US response to violence against minorities in Bangladesh. When asked how Donald Trump's approach would differ from the Biden administration's, he emphasised that any global challenge can be addressed when the strengths of Indian and American cultures work together.

"This isn't just going to be about Indian-American constituents that have voted and have policy priorities. This is an administration that's giving the Indian-American community a seat at the table. There's no challenge in the world that cannot be solved, there's no opportunity which cannot be realised - when the genius of Indian culture and American culture come together," Moore said.

A former US official stated that the partnership between the US and India will grow in ways the world has not yet imagined. "I can assure you that religious freedom was the top human rights priority in the first Trump administration in the United States. It was the driving force in many ways of our foreign policy. You're going to see that again. You're also going to see an alliance between the United States and India like the world has not yet comprehended. This will be the fact. Our second lady comes from an Indian American background," he said.

"This is a historic moment in terms of the relationship between our two cultures, not just our two countries. Vivek Ramaswamy, who's an indispensable advisor to President-Elect Trump when it comes to the historic re-engineering of the American government to make this far more efficient, far more effective and far more prosperous for future generations, comes from the Indian American community," he added.

When asked if the West was "silent" regarding the brutality of religious minorities in Bangladesh, Moore acknowledged that rarely do individuals speak out about the persecution of the Hindu population. "Human rights organisations and religious freedom organisations sought to raise their voices every second right. I think that a lot of times the Hindu community, when they are persecuted around the world, unfortunately, fewer people speak up about it. I'm committing to doing the exact opposite... I'm calling for the world's human rights and religious freedom organisations to do the same," he said.

"When Muhammad Yunus came in as the interim leader of the country, he made promises related to democracy, the rule of law, and all of these values that are cherished by the West and our international institutions... This is a moment of existential threat not only for the minorities of Bangladesh but for the entire country. It is a call to advocate for human rights and religious freedom to speak up," Moore added.

Moore added that minorities in the nation believe that "if they'll go after him, they'll go after any of us" in response to the Bangladesh Police's detention of priest Chinmoy Krishna Das. India has raised concerns about attacks on Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh, as well as the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote.

The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that extremist groups in Bangladesh have been involved in repeated attacks, including arson, looting of homes and businesses, vandalism, theft, and the desecration of temples and deities. These incidents have caused significant distress within the affected communities. Additionally, Moore expressed solidarity with the Hindu community in Bangladesh, emphasising support from the global Christian community. The statement expressed disappointment that while those responsible for these incidents remain free, charges are being filed against a religious leader peacefully voicing legitimate demands.

The Indian government also highlighted concerns about attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against Das's arrest and urged Bangladeshi authorities to protect Hindus and all minorities, ensuring their safety, security, and right to peaceful assembly and expression.