Dhaka: As Bangladesh approaches its February 12 elections, the United States has reportedly signalled a willingness to engage with the Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party. The move comes after the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted following anti-government protests and her Awami League was barred from contesting the polls.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI), led by Shafiqur Rahman was banned under Hasina and politically marginalised following war-crimes trials against senior leaders. The ban was lifted after Hasina’s resignation in 2024, allowing the party to consolidate its position ahead of the upcoming elections.
US diplomats, in closed-door discussions with journalists in Dhaka, reportedly acknowledged the BJI’s growing influence and expressed interest in working with its members. They downplayed concerns about the party imposing strict Islamic law, noting that any such measures would prompt immediate economic sanctions. The US Embassy later described the talks as routine and affirmed that it does not favour any political party.
The BJI has softened its public image in recent years, focusing on corruption and social welfare issues while seeking broader alliances, including with the National Citizen Party and potentially the BNP. Analysts warn that a Jamaat-led government could complicate Dhaka–New Delhi relations, given New Delhi’s past designation of Jamaat’s Kashmir chapter as unlawful. The outreach also has implications for US–India ties, which remain tense over trade and geopolitical disagreements.
