Jamaat Manifesto Pushes Foreign Policy, Remains Vague On Safety Of Hindus In Bangladesh

Last Updated:February 06, 2026, 17:03 IST

Sources suggest the absence of clarity on Hindu safety is not accidental but designed to reassure international observers without committing to enforceable protections on ground.

Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami, in its election manifesto, has projected an image of diplomatic balance and global engagement, promising constructive foreign relations while avoiding explicit commitments on sensitive domestic issues — particularly the safety of Hindus. While the document uses broad language around justice, dignity, and mutual respect, it stops short of offering concrete legal or security frameworks to protect minorities, a gap that has raised red flags within Indian security and intelligence circles.

The manifesto positions foreign policy as a central pillar, placing strong emphasis on deepening engagement with the Muslim world. Jamaat identifies strengthening ties with Muslim-majority countries as a strategic priority, framing it as both ideological alignment and geopolitical necessity. However, Indian intelligence sources assess that such outreach could also reinforce ideological linkages with transnational organisations, potentially amplifying radical narratives in Bangladesh and along India’s eastern border.

The Rohingya issue features prominently in Jamaat’s foreign policy vision. The party frames Rohingya repatriation as a humanitarian responsibility, projecting Bangladesh as a moral leader on the global stage. At the same time, the issue is expected to be leveraged as a diplomatic pressure tool across South Asia, particularly in international forums. Analysts note that Jamaat’s focus on Rohingya rights could also be used to strengthen engagement with Western nations and international organisations, allowing Dhaka to position itself as a key humanitarian stakeholder while extracting political and economic leverage.

While India is mentioned among Bangladesh’s immediate neighbours with whom peaceful and cooperative ties are proposed, the manifesto simultaneously underscores the need to expand relations with Western powers, ASEAN nations, Africa, and Eastern Europe. This diversification strategy is widely seen as an attempt to reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on both India and China. Indian agencies interpret this as a deliberate recalibration that could dilute New Delhi’s influence in a region where the two countries share a long and sensitive border.

On minority protection, the manifesto’s language remains vague. While it references equality and dignity, it avoids outlining enforcement mechanisms or institutional safeguards. This ambiguity has heightened concern in India, particularly given Jamaat’s historical association with episodes of communal violence. Intelligence sources suggest that the absence of clarity is not accidental but designed to reassure international observers without committing to enforceable protections on the ground.

Adding to these concerns is Jamaat’s proposal to make military training compulsory for youths aged 18 to 22 for a period of six to twelve months. While framed as civic preparedness, critics argue the proposal risks redirecting young citizens from education to militarised environments. Security analysts believe this could serve as a long-term ideological investment, training an entire generation not just for citizenship, but potentially for confrontation.

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