China Hosts Bangladeshi Islamist Party In Beijing

On December 3, 2024, First Post (India) published a report about China hosting in Beijing representatives from Jamaat-e-Islami, a Bangladeshi Islamist party that opposes India and advocates for the establishment of an Islamic state.

Reporter: "When Sheikh Hasina was toppled, we called it a setback for India. It's been more than four months now and I don't think setback covers it anymore, it's heading towards a breakdown. There's a war of words between Delhi and Dhaka, diplomatic missions are being targeted, national flags are being insulted, and there is talk of trade disruptions and boycotts. Guess who's looking to capitalize on this? The Chinese. They're hosting the Bangladesh's Islamist parties. Islamist political parties, a 14-member delegation is touring Beijing. It is led by the Jamaat-e-Islami, a radical Islamist group in Bangladesh. They have a tainted history: In 1971 the Jamaat supported Pakistan's genocide in East Pakistan. That's present-day Bangladesh before the creation of a separate country, it was called East Pakistan. The Jamaat also opposed Dhaka's secular credentials. Over the years they claim to have changed, at least in public, but looking at the situation in Bangladesh, they clearly haven't. Of course, none of this bothers China, neither the Jamaat's politics nor their past. All they care about is getting a foothold in Dhaka.

"Last month Beijing also hosted the BNP, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Again, an Islamist political party. When the BNP ruled Bangladesh, China benefitted. They got military deals, they got investment opportunities, and most importantly, the BNP kept India at bay. Back then, the Jamaat used to be a BNP ally. But now its wishes are changing. You see, Sheikh Hasina's party, the Awami League, is out of the picture so there are two big players left, the BNP and the Jamaat. And they're eyeing the same prize: They both want to capture power in Dhaka. And that is why China is reaching out to both. India too has reached out to the BNP, but the Jamaat could be a step too far. After all we are talking about a radical anti-India organization, so India's options are limited and not very promising."