Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman dodged a pointed question on future India-Bangladesh relations with a playful nod to some dazzling overhead lights, calling them colourful. The exchange, captured on video and shared widely, has ignited online chatter just days before the countrys crucial February 12 elections.

During a press interaction, a reporter asked Rahman in Bangla what ties with India would look like if his party came to power. Glancing up at the sparkling chandeliers, the Jamaat leader quipped, Look how colourful it is? before walking away to laughter from those around him. The clip has racked up millions of views, with social media users debating if its a sarcastic jab or a hint at warmer relations. Jamaat-e-Islami has long faced accusations of anti-India leanings, often linked to its pro-Pakistan past and criticisms over issues like border disputes. Yet this cheeky response comes amid signs of a strategic shift, as the party eyes electoral gains in a post-Hasina Bangladesh.

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Rahmans remark aligns with Jamaats recent election manifesto, which pledges peaceful and cooperative relations with neighbors including India. Last year, he even claimed a meeting with an Indian diplomat, suggesting outreach efforts despite historical frictions. Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi soured sharply after former PM Sheikh Hasina fled to India following her ouster. Bangladeshs interim leadership has voiced frustration over her hosting there, alongside concerns over attacks on Hindus and remarks questioning Indias northeast policies. Still, officials express hope that a new elected government could mend fences.

Experts view the colourful comment as Jamaat shedding old baggage for practical diplomacy—prioritizing trade, Teesta water-sharing, and border stability over ideology. With rivals like BNP also signaling cooperation, and recent India-BNP talks, the elections could reshape South Asian dynamics and counter Chinas growing influence in Dhaka. As polls near, Rahmans sparkling retort underscores a potential brightening of India-Bangladesh ties—or at least a more pragmatic sparkle. Stay tuned for results.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.