In a startling disclosure, Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday that he held a clandestine meeting with an Indian government envoy earlier this year, raising questions about foreign involvement in Bangladesh’s political realignment ahead of the February national elections.
Jamaat-e-Islami, a once-banned Islamist party, is contesting elections for the first time in nearly 17 years following the ouster of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a youth-led uprising in August 2024. Opinion polls suggest the party could finish a close second to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), marking its strongest showing since returning to mainstream politics.
Shafiqur told Reuters that the Indian diplomat requested the meeting remain confidential, a stark contrast to open visits by officials from other countries. “We must become open to all and to each other. There is no alternative to developing our relationship,” he said, framing the encounter as part of a broader strategy to position Jamaat as a key player in the next government.
The disclosure comes amid heightened regional sensitivities. Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi had cooled after Hasina’s departure, and India had cultivated close ties with her administration, particularly in trade and economic engagement. Analysts suggest that engaging Jamaat may reflect New Delhi’s efforts to maintain influence with emerging political actors capable of shaping Bangladesh’s next government.
Shafiqur emphasised that any unity government involving Jamaat would prioritise political stability and anti-corruption measures. “We want to see a stable nation for at least five years. If the parties come together, we’ll run the government together,” he said, while noting that the prime minister would come from the party winning the most seats.
Addressing concerns over Jamaat’s historical ties with Pakistan, Shafiqur insisted the party would maintain balanced foreign relations. “We are never interested in leaning toward any one country. Rather, we respect all and want balanced relations among nations,” he said.
Jamaat’s strategic disclosures, combined with its potential electoral resurgence, signal a recalibration of Bangladesh’s political landscape and highlight the growing interplay between domestic politics and regional diplomacy.