Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, “If we get the opportunity to govern the country, our relationship with India will be based on mutual respect. People can change their place of residence, but they cannot change their neighbors. We want to respect our neighbor, and we expect the same respect in return.”

On Wednesday, October 22 (local time), during the first day of his week-long visit to the United States, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman made these remarks in response to a journalist’s question regarding relations with India, while attending a discussion meeting organized in New York.

The Jamaat Ameer further said, “India is 26 times larger than Bangladesh in size. Their resources and manpower are far greater than ours. We respect them considering their position. However, they must also respect the existence of our small territory and its nearly 180 million people. This is our demand. If this happens, both neighbors will not only live well but will also bring mutual honor in the global arena.”

In response to a question about ensuring the rights of people of different faiths, he said, “Over the past one and a half years, our activities have already answered this question. I want to make one thing very clear: in the last 54 years, people of various religions have migrated from Bangladesh, including Muslims. We are not in favor of forcibly stopping anyone from leaving, nor do we support forcing anyone out of the country.”

He further said, “We do not believe in the concepts of majority and minority. We say, ‘We need unity.’ Using terms like majority and minority only creates divisions that pit one group against another. For the last 54 years, we have witnessed the devastating effects of this—we do not want to see that again.”

He continued, “Based on our traditions, culture, and civilization, we have long built a heritage of harmonious coexistence. We want to reestablish that legacy. Whatever dark stains have appeared over time, we will remove them, InshaAllah, so that the nation no longer remains divided along political or religious lines.”

The Jamaat Ameer added, “We believe that if anyone has unlawfully occupied someone else’s property during the past 54 years, and there is evidence of it, we support returning that property to its rightful owner—this is our clear stance.”

When asked whether there was any possibility of meeting top political leaders during his visit to the United States, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman replied, “For the greater interest, I prefer to refrain from answering that question for now.”

Bangladeshi journalists based in New York were present at the meeting.