Diplomatic Correspondent

The United States on Wednesday welcomed plans by Bangladesh's interim leader to hold elections after a student-led uprising toppled long-ruling Sheikh Hasina.

"We welcome steps that have been taken by this interim government of Bangladesh to prepare for elections that ultimately will allow the Bangladeshi people to choose their own government representatives," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.

Patel said the United States would "encourage the respect of the rule of law over the course of this whole process, as well as the respect for democratic principles should a transition come to fruition."

Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Prize-winning microfinance pioneer who heads a caretaker government, said Monday that general elections would take place late next year or in early 2026.

Former prime minister Hasina, who fled to neighboring India in August, was accused of rising authoritarianism during her time in power including staging lopsided elections and carrying out extrajudicial killings and detentions.

Patel said that the United States was "deeply troubled" by recent findings of a preliminary inquiry that found Hasina and other ex-officials were involved in mass enforced disappearances.

"We welcome efforts by the interim government to investigate these crimes and encourage fair and transparent processes to provide justice for the victims and their family members," Patel said.

The United States has also voiced alarm over attacks on Bangladesh's Hindu minority since the fall of Hasina, an opponent of Islamists who was backed by regional power India.