Shafiqur Rahman, the leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has expressed his party’s commitment to building a strong and stable relationship with India while urging New Delhi to reassess its approach to bilateral ties. Rahman emphasized that such relations should avoid interfering in domestic affairs.

Rahman highlighted Jamaat-e-Islami’s support for a robust partnership between India and Bangladesh. However, he also advocated for Bangladesh to engage with other global powers like the US, China, and Pakistan, moving beyond historical grievances. Rahman, 65, challenged the perception of Jamaat-e-Islami as anti-India, asserting that the party’s focus is solely on Bangladesh’s interests.

Call for Sheikh Hasina’s return

Rahman suggested it would have been better for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to return to Bangladesh rather than seek refuge in India after her resignation amid unrest. He urged that Hasina should face legal proceedings in her home country, reports the news agency, PTI.

“We seek a good, stable, and harmonious relationship with India,” Rahman stated. He criticized India’s alleged interference in the 2014 Bangladesh elections as unacceptable and called for a reassessment of India’s foreign policy to avoid such interference in the future.

Need for responsible bilateral relations

Rahman stressed the importance of India playing a “responsible role” in bilateral relations, emphasizing the need to distinguish between cooperation and interference. He highlighted that improving relations requires mutual respect and avoiding intervention in each other’s internal issues.

Acknowledging a decline in interactions between Jamaat-e-Islami and the Indian establishment during the current Awami League government, Rahman expressed hope for renewed effective relations with India.

Addressing allegations of Jamaat-e-Islami attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, Rahman dismissed these claims as “baseless,” attributing negative portrayals of his party to media campaigns. He asserted that despite severe repression from the Sheikh Hasina government, Jamaat-e-Islami continues to enjoy popular support.

Advocates balanced regional relations

Rahman expressed a desire for balanced relations with all neighbouring countries, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka, stressing the need for regional stability.

On global diplomacy, Rahman called for balanced ties with major powers such as the US and China, given the interconnected nature of today’s world. He also criticized India for not providing advance notice of water releases that exacerbated flooding in Bangladesh, suggesting that natural water flow should be maintained.

Rahman’s remarks come amidst recent accusations from Dhaka blaming India for floods affecting Bangladesh, which have led to significant humanitarian challenges. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has emphasised the need for collaborative management of shared river systems.

Sheikh Hasina’s status and future elections

Regarding Sheikh Hasina’s flight to India, Rahman proposed that she should return to Bangladesh to face legal consequences. Hasina, who resigned on August 5 after intense protests, is currently residing in India, leading to speculation about her future. The interim Bangladeshi government has revoked the diplomatic passports of Hasina and her former Cabinet members. Rahman confirmed Jamaat-e-Islami’s intention to participate in upcoming elections, stressing that while the interim government should be given time, it should not be indefinite. The party will provide further details on election timing in due course.