Washington is quietly courting Bangladesh’s once-banned Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, betting on influence over isolation – and risking a diplomatic shockwave across South Asia.
Leaked audio obtained by The Washington Post shows a US diplomat in Dhaka urging engagement with Jamaat-e-Islami as the party barrels toward its strongest-ever election result in next month’s national polls.
“We want them to be our friends,” the diplomat said behind closed doors, pressing Bangladeshi journalists to bring Jamaat figures – including its powerful student wing – into mainstream media conversations.
The outreach marks a striking shift. Jamaat-e-Islami, previously banned under ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has a long history of advocating Islamist governance, including proposals to curb women’s work hours and expand the role of religious law. Now, the party is rebranding — selling itself as anti-corruption, reform-minded, and election-ready.
Washington appears willing to play along.
The US official downplayed fears of Islamist rule, arguing America holds decisive economic leverage. If Jamaat crosses ideological red lines, he said, the US could retaliate with crushing tariffs – a direct threat to Bangladesh’s export-driven garment sector.
“If there are no more orders, there will be no Bangladeshi economy,” the diplomat warned.
India is alarmed – and watching closely. New Delhi has long viewed Jamaat as a security risk and a destabilising force with ideological ties to Pakistan. Analysts warn that US engagement with Jamaat could deepen already strained US–India relations at a time when geopolitical trust is fraying.
“India’s biggest fear in Bangladesh has always been Jamaat,” said regional expert Michael Kugelman. “This could widen the rift.”
The political backdrop is explosive. Bangladesh is entering a post-Hasina era after her dramatic 2024 ouster, with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus leading an interim government and promising a democratic reset. But Jamaat’s return to the political mainstream signals a major realignment – and a test of how far Western powers will go to secure influence in a volatile region.
Jamaat leaders insist they no longer seek religious rule, claiming their platform now centres on governance, transparency, and accountability. Critics remain unconvinced, pointing to the party’s ideological roots and past rhetoric.