New Delhi, April 22
A major Indian concern, feared rise of Islamic fundamentalism, still remains in Bangladesh today and Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), Bangladesh, tops the chart. There is a strong connection of JeI Bangladesh with Pakistan and its Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). In turn, elements of the Bangladesh army and intelligence have strong links with Pakistan. This triangular cooperation has a strong anti-India strategic programme both in terms of terrorism and insurgency. A Singapore-type controlled “democracy” in Bangladesh or a variation of it would favour the JeI, and Pakistan’s interest.

This is underscored by the interim government’s selective anti-corruption drive. The JeI, Bangladesh remains virtually untouched while there is enough evidence to suggest that the outfit has also been involved in corruption and channeling funds from foreign Islamic radical organisation linked with the Al Qaida and Taliban to the JMB and other terrorist groups.

A case in point is that of the Kuwaiti NGO, Revival of Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS) which was banned last year. The Kuwaiti NGO was recently given a five-year permission by the Bangladesh NGO Board to work in the country. Bangladesh-watchers here view it as a serious contradiction of stated government policy that suggests that the Islamists are burrowed deep inside the system and the society.

While the Bangladesh army is not aiming for direct rule, it would be a strong hand that would rock the cradle of the nation. A serious effort is on to form a national government with selected representatives from different political parties. However, it remains unclear that if this were to happen then how democratic elections could be held even at the end of 2008, as indicated by Chief Adviser to the caretaker government, Fakhruddin Ahmed.

The Americans have surely taken note of this development. Traditionally, the US foreign policy preferred dictatorial government in small countries, which Washington can control more easily as there is one power centre to deal with. And there is no evidence yet to suggest any displeasure from Washington over the action of caretaker government.

It is, however, unlikely that the USA would replicate the Pakistan formula in Bangladesh because conditions and requirements are different. But there is no last word in US foreign policy when engineering regime change.

In this context, a notable development was a seminar held in a Dhaka hotel on April 18 morning, which was attended by Pakistani High Commissioner Alamgir Babar and other pro-Pakistan elements. The seminar was organised by the English language weekly Probe, known to be a frontal organisation of the Bangladesh military intelligence, the DGFI.