Geopolitical Briefing: Bangladesh
4 May 2025
- Hefazat-e-Islam mobilizes over 20,000 protesters in Dhaka against proposed women’s rights reforms, demanding adherence to Sharia law. (AP News)
- Bangladesh reinstates the “except Israel” clause in passports following mass pro-Palestinian demonstrations. (Middle East Eye)
- Interim government demands $4.5 billion in reparations and a formal apology from Pakistan for the 1971 genocide during Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit. (Muslim Network TV)
- India’s Border Security Force (BSF) reportedly kills a Bangladeshi national at the border; India plans to bolster BSF presence with 16 new battalions. (Instagram)
- Bangladesh’s interim government negotiates with Elon Musk’s Starlink for satellite internet access, aiming to secure favorable U.S. trade terms. (The Washington Post)
On 3 May 2025, Hefazat-e-Islam organized a significant rally in Dhaka, protesting proposed legal reforms aimed at ensuring equal rights for women, particularly concerning property rights. The group contends that these reforms contradict Sharia law and threaten Islamic inheritance principles. They demanded the dissolution of the government’s reform commission and punitive actions against its members. Additionally, they called for the banning of the Awami League, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who remains in exile in India. This mobilization underscores the growing influence of Islamist groups in Bangladesh’s political landscape, reflecting a shift towards policies rooted in Islamic values and a move away from Western liberal ideologies. (AP News)
In response to widespread pro-Palestinian demonstrations, the Bangladeshi government reinstated the “except Israel” clause in its passports, a policy that had been removed in 2021. This decision aligns with public sentiment and reaffirms Bangladesh’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause. The move also signals a distancing from Western-aligned policies and a reinforcement of the country’s commitment to Islamic solidarity. (Middle East Eye)
During a visit by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on 27–28 April 2025, Bangladesh demanded $4.5 billion in reparations and a formal apology for the 1971 genocide. The talks also addressed the repatriation of approximately 324,000 Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh since 1971. This assertive stance by Bangladesh reflects a broader effort to assert political independence and address historical grievances, moving away from past subservience to regional powers. (Muslim Network TV)
Tensions along the Bangladesh-India border escalated following reports that the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) shot and killed a Bangladeshi national in West Bengal’s 24 Parganas district on 27 April 2025. In response, India announced plans to raise 16 new BSF battalions and establish two additional field headquarters along its borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. These developments highlight the ongoing security challenges Bangladesh faces and underscore the importance of enhancing its own border security capabilities to ensure sovereignty and reduce reliance on neighboring countries. (Instagram, Rediff)
Bangladesh’s interim government has engaged in negotiations with Elon Musk’s Starlink to introduce satellite internet services in the country. This move is seen as an attempt to secure favorable trade terms with the United States, leveraging Musk’s influence within the U.S. administration. However, the strategy has faced criticism, as Bangladesh was still subjected to punitive tariffs despite its cooperation. This situation underscores the complexities of navigating international relations and the challenges of maintaining economic sovereignty in the face of external pressures. (The Washington Post)
