Indian Diplomat Asked to Keep Meeting Secret: Jamaat Ameer Tells Reuters

Shafiqur Rahman, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, met with an Indian diplomat earlier this year under a veil of secrecy. In an interview with Reuters at his residence on Wednesday, the Jamaat chief confirmed the meeting, noting it took place following his bypass surgery.

The Ameer told Reuters that unlike diplomats from other nations who meet him for public courtesy calls, the Indian official requested that their meeting remain confidential.

"Why? Many diplomats came to me and it was made public. What is the problem?" Shafiqur Rahman questioned. He added, "We have to be open to everyone and to each other. We have no alternative but to improve our relations."

Reuters reported that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the Ameer's statement. However, an Indian government source confirmed that they have been maintaining contact with various political parties.

When asked about Jamaat-e-Islami's historical proximity to Pakistan, Rahman replied, "We maintain relationships with everyone in a balanced way. We are never interested in leaning towards any one country."

He also expressed concern over Sheikh Hasina's continued stay in India after fleeing Dhaka, noting that bilateral relations have hit their lowest point in decades since her fall. The Reuters report highlighted that India, the Hindu-majority powerhouse of South Asia, had maintained a close relationship with Hasina.

Unity Government

The Reuters report suggests that Jamaat-e-Islami, once a banned organization, is set to demonstrate its maximum strength in the upcoming elections scheduled for February. The party head stated they are open to joining a "unity government" and have held discussions with several parties regarding this.

Opinion polls indicate that Jamaat—contesting an election for the first time in nearly 17 years—is projected to secure the second-highest position after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), with a narrow margin between them. Jamaat was last in power as a coalition partner of the BNP from 2001 to 2006.

Following a recent electoral alliance with a Gen-Z led party (NCP), the Ameer told Reuters regarding a unity government: "We want to see the country stable for at least five years. If the parties come together, we will run the government together."

Anti-Corruption Stance

In the interview, the Jamaat chief asserted that an anti-corruption stance must be a common agenda for any unity government. He stated that the Prime Minister should hail from the party that secures the most seats. If Jamaat wins the majority, he said the party would decide whether he would be the prime ministerial candidate.

The rise of Jamaat-e-Islami follows the ouster of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year during a youth-led uprising. Hasina's party, the Awami League, is unable to participate in this election.

Hasina was a fierce critic of Jamaat; during her tenure, several top Jamaat leaders were executed for war crimes committed during the 1971 Independence War against Pakistan, which the party had opposed.

Jamaat had been barred from elections since 2013 after its registration was cancelled following a court ruling. The interim government led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus lifted the ban on the party in August 2024.

During the interview, the Ameer also mentioned that any government involving Jamaat would not feel "comfortable" with President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

Shahabuddin was elected President unopposed in 2023 with the support of the Awami League. Earlier this month, the President himself told Reuters that he wished to resign midway through his term.

However, in a telephone conversation with Reuters on Wednesday, President Shahabuddin declined to comment on the Jamaat chief's remarks, stating he did not want to "complicate the matter further."