Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has called for stable and harmonious relations with India, urging New Delhi to reconsider its approach towards its neighbours and refrain from interfering in Bangladesh’s internal matters.
Rahman, who leads the Jamaat-e-Islami, stressed that while his party seeks closer ties with India, mutual respect and non-interference are essential for a healthy bilateral relationship.
Rahman, 65, highlighted that Bangladesh should pursue balanced relations not just with India but also with other key players like the United States, China, and Pakistan, leaving historical grievances behind.
"Jamaat-e-Islami is not against any country; it is a wrong perception. We are pro-Bangladesh and are solely interested in safeguarding the interests of Bangladesh,” Rahman said, stressing the need for a reassessment of New Delhi's perception of his party.
He cited incidents from the past, such as the 2014 Bangladesh elections, where a senior Indian diplomat allegedly dictated electoral participation in Dhaka, an action Rahman deemed inappropriate.
“India has done a few things in the past that did not sit well with the people of Bangladesh," he remarked, adding that such actions fuel resentment.
Addressing the political turmoil in Bangladesh, Rahman suggested that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s decision to flee to India following widespread unrest was "unwise".
Rahman argued that it would have been preferable for Hasina to remain in Bangladesh and face the legal consequences.
“It would have been better if she had not fled. I don’t want to use the term extradition, but we believe she should return and face the law in Bangladesh,” he stated.
Hasina resigned on 5 August after intense anti-government protests, later seeking refuge in India, where she currently resides.
This move has sparked speculation within Bangladesh and has been met with mixed reactions.
In response, the interim government revoked the diplomatic passports of Hasina and her former Cabinet members, signalling a shift in the country’s political landscape.
Flood controversy and bilateral tensions
The relationship between India and Bangladesh recently faced another test amidst severe flooding that has affected millions in Bangladesh and neighbouring Indian states.
Rahman criticised India for failing to inform Bangladesh before releasing water, which he believes worsened the flood situation.
“We are not saying that India is to blame for the heavy rains, but India should have informed us before releasing water so that we could better manage the situation and save lives,” he said.
The flooding has led to significant loss of life and has challenged Bangladesh's interim government, which is navigating a period of political transition.
The monsoon-triggered floods have devastated large swathes of the deltaic nation, where almost three million people are struggling to cope with the aftermath.
Reports from Dhaka have blamed India for aggravating the floods by opening a dam on the Gumti River in Tripura.
However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has dismissed these accusations as factually incorrect, describing the floods in shared rivers as a “shared problem” that requires cooperative management by both countries.
Jamaat’s stance on bilateral cooperation
Rahman also outlined Jamaat-e-Islami’s position on Bangladesh’s future elections, signalling his party’s intent to participate whenever they are scheduled.
He pointed the importance of setting a timeline for the interim government’s tenure. “We believe the interim government should be given time, but it should not be indefinite.
We will clarify our position on the timing of fresh elections in due course. But whenever elections are held, we will participate,” Rahman stated.
Reflecting on Jamaat’s historical ties with India, Rahman noted that interactions with the Indian establishment had dwindled during the 16-year rule of the Awami League.
Nonetheless, he expressed optimism about rebuilding these ties, advocating for a collaborative and non-intrusive approach to bilateral relations.
“Working together and interfering are two different things. Working together has a positive connotation, whereas interference is negative,” he said, reiterating his call for India to respect Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
Rahman advocated for balanced and stable relationships across South Asia, urging Bangladesh to maintain ties with all its neighbours, including Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.
“We seek an equal and balanced relationship with all our neighbours in the subcontinent,” he noted.
Discussing broader diplomatic relations, Rahman called for an even-handed approach towards global powers like the United States and China, stressing Bangladesh’s interconnectedness in a globalised world.
He stressed that Bangladesh’s foreign policy should not be swayed by any single nation but should focus on maintaining equilibrium.
Rahman also addressed accusations against Jamaat-e-Islami concerning attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, dismissing these allegations as baseless and a result of a smear campaign against his party.
He accused the media of misrepresenting Jamaat’s actions, particularly during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina’s government, which he characterised as repressive towards his party.
Despite the challenges and negative portrayals, Rahman claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami continues to enjoy widespread support among the Bangladeshi populace.
He remained confident that Jamaat would play a pivotal role in the country’s political future, advocating for a foreign policy that prioritises national interests while fostering friendly and non-intrusive relations with India.
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