Chinese Envoy Calls Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami ‘Well-Organised’; Indian Govt Sources Term

The Chinese government has reached out to the Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh. Chinese Ambassador to Dhaka, Yao Wen, termed Jamaat-e-Islami as a well-organised political party. The Chinese envoy on Monday held a meeting with Jamaat’s Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman at the party’s central office in Dhaka. The move has been termed “strange” by sources in the Indian government.

According to reports, the two talked about the recent changes in Bangladesh and promised closer co-operation between the people and governments of both the countries.

This is first foreign diplomat visit to the Jamaat office after 2010. The police had sealed the office and it reopened after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August due to the student-led uprising.

After his meeting with Jamaat’s Amir, the Chinese ambassador praised Bangladesh as a beautiful country and described Jamaat-e-Islami as well-organised. He said China desires a friendly relationship with the people of Bangladesh and will continue to work towards Bangladesh’s development, progress, and prosperity.

During Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, China was seen as a close ally of the Awami League after India.

Ambassador Yao said that at present, Bangladesh is at a historical crossroads. “China is committed to deepening exchanges and co-operation with the Interim Government, all political parties and all walks of life in Bangladesh to consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries and promote the continuous development of the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, to bring more benefit to the two countries and their people,” he said.

Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman appreciated China’s “great contribution to the economic and social development of Bangladesh.”

He reiterated Jamaat’s firm support for the One-China Principle and said it was willing to strengthen co-operation between the two countries. He also requested China to be more active in investment and the rehabilitation of Rohingyas.

Also present at the meeting were Jamaat’s Nayeeb-e-Ameer Mujibur Rahman, Dr Syed Abdullah Md Taher, Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, and other senior leaders.

Sources have said the Chinese move suggests Jamaat will run Bangladesh.

Strange Move by China: Top Sources in Government of India

Sources in the Indian government have said this is a very strange move by China and “this clearly suggests who will run Dhaka now.” Sources said the Chinese want their investments to be safe and they wanted a much bigger pie in the future business.

Sources said this move is also to ensure that Jamaat will be on board with China on issues which are going to disturb future equations. “Bringing Jamaat on board means this is going to be mandatory for Bangladesh to have good relations with Pakistan also. China has been seen trying several indirect negotiations through Pakistan in the past,” sources said.