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How U.S. Diplomatically “Engages” With Bangladeshis – A Pattern Repeating Itself In India

August 13, 2024
The Commune

After Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh during a coup on August 5, 2024, she accused the U.S. of orchestrating her ouster due to her refusal to cede Saint Martin’s Island, a strategically important location in the Bay of Bengal. Such claims, though denied by the Americans, match the pattern that emerged in India ahead of our general elections. 

Her allegations follow an October 2023 meeting between a key member of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami outfit and a U.S. diplomat, which raised suspicions due to its political significance.

The Island is geographically significant due to its location in the Bay of Bengal and proximity to China and Myanmar. Hasina alleged that the U.S. had long been interested in establishing a military base on the island to gain strategic control over the Bay of Bengal. 

The U.S. has denied these allegations. However, this pattern of engagement was also found in India, where the U.S. has interacted with social media influencers and politicians before the 2024 general elections.

How US Officials Engaged with Bangladeshi Politicians and Civil Society Over Years

In October 2023, ahead of the elections in Bangladesh, a key Jamaat-e-Islami official, Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, met with Matthew Bey, the US Embassy’s first Political Secretary, at the American Club in Dhaka ahead of the opposition BNP’s planned grand rally. This meeting, which lasted over an hour, drew media attention due to its timing and the political significance of the upcoming rallies.

It is noteworthy that the Jamaat-e-Islami is a banned organisation in Bangladesh. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman himself banned it since its members were involved with the formation of auxiliary forces such as Razakars. On August 1, 2013, the Bangladesh Supreme Court annulled the registration of the Jamaat-e-Islami, deeming the party ineligible to participate in national elections. Following this, the government imposed a complete ban on the party on 1 August 2024.

The US Embassy has regularly engaged with the opposition and social media influencers in Bangladesh. In 2018, the US Embassy in Dhaka had already ‘activated’ the social media ‘citizen journalist’ work.

In May 2021, Ambassador Miller spoke about his experience in Bangladesh and U.S. government initiatives for Bangladeshi students in an interview with Radio Padma.

In May 2023, DAS Afreen Akhter discussed “areas of cooperation, free & fair elections, human rights, & Rohingya issues over lunch with MOFA North America DG Khandker Masudul Alam“.

 

Three months later, in August 2023, Rep McCormick and Reps. Ed Case met with FM Momen, government officials, and civil society members to discuss the importance of ”free and fair elections”

In September 2023, Deputy Assistant Secretary Mira Resnick met with “civil society leaders promoting positive civic engagement in Bangladesh despite obstacles and resistance.”

All these events happened in the run-up to the Bangladesh elections last year.

In June 2024, Ambassador Haas and Assistant Secretary Don Lu engaged with three of Bangladesh’s social media influencers on climate action and other topics.

In July 2024, the US Embassy in Bangladesh met with “brave patriots” who help” advance the democracies. They meant – journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society activists, who “challenge the status quo, point out the shortcomings of our democracies, and fight for change.”

Similar Pattern in India

This pattern is also seen in India. It is noteworthy that the US Embassy nominated fake news spreader RJ Sayema as the equality ambassador in March 2023.

YouTuber and fake news peddler Akash Banerjee of The DeshBhakt was also invited to deliver a talk at a programme titled “Influence to Impact”. The post made by US Embassy India handle read, “Are you a social media influencer or a content creator curious about impactful content that drives real change? Here’s your chance to learn from the best! Join us at American Center New Delhi for “Influence to Impact” with @TheDeshBhakt Akash Banerjee.”

More recently, on 12 August 2024, the US Consul General in Hyderabad met with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi. The post caption read, “Thank you, Member of Parliament and leader of AlMIM @asadowaisi for your kind hospitality and for sharing your informed and important views on a range of shared issues and concerns. I look forward to continuing our discussions! #USIndiaFWD”

The US has been trying to implement a regime change in India for quite some time. However, PM Modi continues to be at the helm. Had something drastic taken place, it is possible that India would have had someone else as Prime Minister.

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