The United States is now attempting to strengthen ties with Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh's largest Islamist party, which was banned during Sheikh Hasina's tenure. (Image X @ConflictXtweets)
New Delhi: After a period of prolonged political turmoil in Bangladesh, elections are now scheduled for February 2026. The situation has changed rapidly since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from power. Meanwhile, a report claims that the United States is now attempting to strengthen ties with Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh's largest Islamist party, which was banned during Sheikh Hasina's tenure.
According to a Washington Post report, US diplomats stationed in Dhaka have indicated their willingness to work with Jamaat-e-Islami, a party that has been banned multiple times in Bangladesh at different periods.
In a closed-door meeting with female Bangladeshi journalists on December 1, a US diplomat reportedly said that the country has become more Islamic and that Jamaat could perform better than ever before in the February 12 elections. According to the audio recording, the diplomat said, "We want them to be our friends." He also suggested that the journalists invite members of Jamaat's student wing to their programs.
The US diplomat also reportedly said that if Jamaat came to power and attempted to strictly implement Sharia law, the US would impose a 100 percent tariff on Bangladesh the very next day.
However, Monica She, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Dhaka, stated that the conversation was a general, off-the-record discussion that covered several political parties. She clarified that the US does not support any single party and will work with the government elected in the upcoming elections.
Jamaat-e-Islami was founded in 1941 by the Islamic thinker Syed Abul Ala Maududi. The party opposed Bangladesh's independence in 1971 and sided with Pakistan at the time. During the 1971 war, senior Jamaat leaders were accused of involvement in the killing of civilians through pro-Pakistan paramilitary organizations. After Sheikh Hasina returned to power in 2009, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders faced war crimes trials, and the party was banned, pushing it to the political margins.
Following Sheikh Hasina's removal from power in 2024 amidst student protests, the ban on Jamaat was lifted. The party subsequently reorganized itself. Currently, the party is led by Shafiqur Rahman, General Secretary Mia Golam Parwar, and Deputy Chief Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher.
In recent years, Jamaat has attempted to project a more moderate image and has made corruption a major issue. The party has traditionally advocated for policies such as Sharia law and reducing working hours for women.
Jamaat recently formed an alliance with the National Citizen Party (NCP), which was formed by individuals associated with the student movement. However, some members of the NCP have opposed this alliance.
Since Sheikh Hasina's removal, Jamaat leaders have met with US officials on several occasions. Party leader Mohammad Rahman also held a virtual meeting with US Trade Representative Jamison Greer in January.
India is concerned about these developments. India declared Jamaat-e-Islami an unlawful organization in Kashmir in 2019 and reiterated this decision in 2024.
According to Thomas Kean of the International Crisis Group, if Jamaat comes to power, improving India-Bangladesh relations will be more difficult than under a BNP government. He stated that due to domestic political considerations, cooperation between Jamaat and India's BJP would not be easy.
According to the report, the US's increasing contact with Jamaat could also strain India-US relations. Differences already exist between the two countries regarding US tariffs, India-Pakistan tensions, and India's purchase of oil from Russia.
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