New Delhi: Ahead of the upcoming Bangladesh elections, BNP leader Tariq Rahman has raised eyebrows by signaling a tilt toward Pakistan-aligned forces, casting doubts on his stance toward India. While he initially projected a willingness to maintain good relations with India, his recent actions suggest a strategic alignment with Pakistan-friendly elements.
Meeting With Aman Azmi
Tariq Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), returned to Bangladesh specifically for the elections. Reports indicate that he met retired Brigadier General Aman Azmi in Dhaka on Wednesday evening—a move that has sparked speculation about BNP’s future ties with Pakistan and its intelligence agency, ISI.
Azmi hails from a family historically opposed to India and has long been associated with Pakistan-backed agendas. During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, Azmi remained largely inactive in domestic politics, but following the fall of the Awami League government, he has reemerged, actively pursuing anti-India objectives.
Who is Brigadier General Aman Azmi?
Aman Azmi is the son of Ghulam Azmi, a former leader of Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh. Throughout his career, he has been known for his anti-India stance and close ties with Pakistan. Ghulam Azmi opposed Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, working alongside Pakistani forces and forming notorious militias such as Rajakar, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams, responsible for mass killings and targeting of intellectuals.
Tariq Rahman’s Controversial Approach
Observers note that Tariq Rahman initially indicated that a future BNP government would seek normal relations with India. However, given his historical connections with the ISI and Jamaat-e-Islami, experts warn that he could pivot toward an anti-India approach, aligning with Pakistan-friendly agendas that have roots dating back to 1971.
Role of Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh Politics
Ghulam Azmi was sentenced to 90 years by the Bangladesh International Crime Tribunal for war crimes and crimes against humanity, although he passed away in 2014. Under the Awami League government, Jamaat-e-Islami’s influence was curtailed. Following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in 2024, the party and its associated figures, including Aman Azmi, have begun resurfacing in Bangladesh’s political scene. Analysts point to Jamaat’s alleged involvement in recent abductions and targeted killings of senior army officials as evidence of its continued influence.
Tariq Rahman’s actions ahead of the elections signal a potential recalibration of BNP’s foreign and domestic strategies, raising concerns in India about the party’s future alignment with anti-India forces.
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