Bangladesh rebukes US spy chief over religious violence remarks

Bangladesh has rebuked Washington’s intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, saying her comments on religious violence in the South Asian country were unfounded and risked fanning sectarian tensions. Gabbard arrived this week for a diplomatic trip to India, whose relations with Bangladesh have soured since a student-led uprising overthrew the latter nation’s government last year. New Delhi has repeatedly accused its Muslim-majority neighbour of failing to adequately protect its minority Hindu citizens – charges denied by the caretaker administration now in charge. But Gabbard appeared to give credence to the claims when she was asked about violence in Bangladesh during a Monday interview with Indian broadcaster NDTV. “The long-time unfortunate persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities...have been a major area of concern for the US government,” she said in response. She…