Bangladesh stands on the cusp of its 13th parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12, with parties unleashing a barrage of pledges. Among them, Jamaat-e-Islami’s freshly released manifesto has captured attention for its explicit vow of peaceful coexistence with India and regional neighbors.
‘We will build peaceful, amicable, and collaborative relations with neighboring countries including India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Thailand, founded on mutual respect and sincerity,’ the document proclaims. This stance underscores a desire for stable borders in a volatile neighborhood.
The foreign policy chapter is expansive, stressing solidarity with Muslim nations and strategic alliances with Western giants—the US, Britain, EU, Japan, and Canada. Jamaat plans proactive steps to deepen ties with Eastern Europe, Africa, and South America on diplomatic, trade, and security fronts.
Internationalism shines through commitments to amplify Bangladesh’s voice in the UN and affiliates, confronting global issues like peace and human rights. Regional activism in SAARC and ASEAN is assured, with a humane approach to the Rohingya plight via international cooperation for voluntary repatriation.
Sustaining UN peace operations and establishing transparent migration controls round out the promises. The omission of Pakistan in the text raises eyebrows, hinting at nuanced positioning.
In the lead-up to polls, Jamaat’s manifesto emerges as a bold statement on diplomacy, challenging perceptions of the party while navigating Bangladesh’s intricate geopolitical web. The electorate’s response remains the ultimate verdict.