China's 'Secret Game' in Bangladesh: Why Beijing is Wooing Jamaat-e-Islami

• Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen met Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman, raising strategic concerns in South Asia.
• China views Jamaat as a significant crowd-puller with a disciplined cadre, capable of influencing elections and protests.
• The engagement is seen as China's 'backup plan' to ensure stability and protect its multi-billion dollar BRI investments in Bangladesh.
• China aims to counter India's influence in Dhaka by maintaining ties with the traditionally anti-India Jamaat-e-Islami.
• This move is a pragmatic diplomatic strategy by China, not political support, to safeguard its interests regardless of election outcomes.

Why It Matters: China is playing a strategic game in Bangladesh, engaging Jamaat-e-Islami to protect investments and counter India's influence.