ISLAMABAD: The Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, hasfirmly rejected media reports suggesting secret meetings with Indiandiplomats, describing such claims as baseless and misleading. In a detailedclarification issued through social media, he addressed misconceptionsarising from a recent interview with the international news agency Reuters.The statement comes at a critical juncture as Bangladesh prepares fornational elections scheduled for February, with political partiespositioning themselves in the post-uprising landscape following the ousterof former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024.
The controversy originated from Rahman’s interview with Reuters, publishedon December 31, 2025, where he responded to a question about contacts withIndia, Bangladesh’s influential neighbour. He explained that afterreturning home from medical treatment last year, numerous visitors,including diplomats from various countries, met him. Among them were twoIndian diplomats who came to inquire about his health. Rahman emphasizedthat these interactions were not clandestine but occurred openly at hisresidence, similar to visits by other foreign representatives.
During the meetings, Rahman stated that his party maintains a policy oftransparency regarding diplomatic engagements. He informed the Indiandiplomats that all such visits are typically made public to ensureaccountability. However, the diplomats requested discretion at that time.Rahman assured them that any future discussions involving matters ofbilateral interest would be disclosed openly, underscoring his commitmentto avoiding secretive diplomacy. This clarification aims to dispel rumoursthat portrayed the interaction as covert and politically motivated.
The reports of a “secret meeting” emerged in several Bangladeshi mediaoutlets shortly after the Reuters interview, sparking speculation aboutIndia’s engagement with opposition parties ahead of the polls. Rahmanexpressed astonishment at these interpretations, condemning them asirresponsible journalism that distorts facts. He urged media organisationsto verify information carefully before publication to prevent unnecessarycontroversy. The timing of the clarification coincides with heightenedscrutiny of foreign influences in Bangladesh’s evolving political dynamics.
Bangladesh’s political scene remains charged following the student-leduprising that toppled the Awami League government. The interimadministration under Muhammad Yunus has set February as the election date,marking the first vote since the dramatic changes. Jamaat-e-Islami, bannedfor years under the previous regime, has re-entered mainstream politics andis projected by opinion polls to secure a strong second position behind theBangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The party has formed alliances,including with the youth-led National Citizen Party, signalling potentialcoalition-building.
In the Reuters interview, Rahman outlined Jamaat-e-Islami’s foreign policystance, advocating balanced relations with all nations, including India andPakistan. He highlighted concerns over Sheikh Hasina’s continued presencein India as an obstacle to improved ties. The party chief reiterated thatJamaat seeks neither alignment with any single country nor undue influence,focusing instead on national stability and corruption-free governance.These positions reflect efforts to broaden appeal beyond its traditionalconservative base.
The episode underscores the sensitivity surrounding regional diplomacy inSouth Asia, particularly India’s outreach to various Bangladeshi politicalactors amid shifting power equations. Indian sources have acknowledgedmaintaining contacts with multiple parties, while no official comment hasbeen issued on the specific meeting. Rahman’s denial highlights thecomplexities of political reporting in a transitional period, wheremisinterpretations can fuel tensions.
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As elections approach, such clarifications serve to maintain focus ondomestic issues like reforms, stability, and inclusive governance.Jamaat-e-Islami’s revival after a long hiatus positions it as a significantplayer, with its leader emphasising unity and transparency in both internaland external affairs. Observers note that transparent diplomacy will becrucial for fostering regional trust during this pivotal phase inBangladesh’s democratic journey.
Source:https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/jamaat-ameer-clarifies-reuters-interview-meeting-indian-diplomats-4070606
Tags: Bangladesh, Jamaat-e-Islami, Shafiqur Rahman, Indian Diplomats
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