US Diplomat's Secret Meeting with Jamaat-e-Islami Sparks India's Concern

• A US diplomat in Dhaka reportedly held a closed-door meeting with Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami, an audio recording of which was obtained by The Washington Post.
• The diplomat allegedly suggested Bangladesh is moving towards a 'gradual Islamic shift' and that Jamaat could perform well in upcoming elections, even asking journalists to platform its student wing.
• Jamaat-e-Islami, a pro-Pakistan party, opposed the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and advocates for Sharia-based rule, though it now tries to appear 'reform-focused'.
• The US Embassy clarified that the conversation was a 'routine, off-the-record discussion' and denied supporting any single political party.
• India views Jamaat as a regional security threat due to its radical ideology and alleged ties with Pakistan, raising concerns about potential US-Jamaat alignment impacting India-US relations and regional stability.

Why It Matters: A US diplomat's alleged secret meeting with Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh raises significant geopolitical concerns for India.