Dhaka [Bangladesh], February 5 : With just a few days left until the national elections in Bangladesh, the Islamic conservative party Jamaat-e-Islami announced that it would maintain "constructive and cooperative" relations with neighbouring countries, including India, as part of its election promises.
The manifesto, which was released on Wednesday, stated that the party would establish such relations "based on mutual respect and fairness" and highlighted plans to enhance Bangladesh's global standing and the international mobility of the country's passport.
"Constructive relations with neighbouring and nearby countries, peaceful, friendly, and cooperative relations will be established with India, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Thailand based on mutual respect and fairness," the manifesto said.
"Enhancing the global standing of Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi passport: alongside sustained efforts to elevate Bangladesh's international stature, concrete initiatives will be undertaken to enhance the global credibility and mobility of the Bangladeshi passport," it added.
The party also emphasised strengthening ties with the Muslim world, expanding diplomatic, economic, and strategic relations with countries in Eastern Europe, Africa, and South America, and actively engaging with the United Nations and other international organisations to address global challenges, including peace, security, human rights, and economic development.
"The strengthening of relations with countries of the Muslim world shall be a key foreign policy priority," the manifesto read.
"Active engagement with the United Nations and international organisations: Bangladesh's active participation in the United Nations and its affiliated agencies will be further strengthened to address global challenges such as peace, security, human rights, and economic development," it added.
The party also reiterated its commitment to active participation in regional organisations such as SAARC and ASEAN, and also outlined specific initiatives for peace and security, including addressing the Rohingya crisis in cooperation with the international community and continuing Bangladesh's contribution to UN peacekeeping operations.
"Peace and security initiatives for the Rohingya: In cooperation with the international community, a peaceful and sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis will be pursued, ensuring their safe, dignified, and voluntary repatriation... United Nations peacekeeping operations: Bangladesh's participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions will be continued," the manifesto added.
The party's election manifesto comes around a week ahead of the much-anticipated national polls and constitutional referendum that are set to take place on February 12.
The election is a pivotal moment in the country's history, with the Awami League banned from participating and the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and Jamaat, who are in a seat-sharing agreement, gaining traction.
The electoral landscape has also shifted significantly, making it challenging to predict the outcome.
The February 12 polls come almost two years after the July Uprising in 2024, which led to the ousting of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Meanwhile, the International Crisis Group had highlighted uncertainty surrounding the polls, including concerns about the process's credibility and the risk of violence.
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