Leaked Audio: US diplomat woos Jamaat, Yunus; talks of disintegration of BNP | World News

As reported by the Washington Post, a leaked audio conversation has revealed private conversations between a US diplomat and Jamaat leaders in Bangladesh ahead of key national elections. In the audio clip, the diplomat, who was not named by the Washington Post, described Yunus’ interim leadership as “genius” and drew attention to his economic management after the 2024 uprising. The US diplomat also praised Younis’ ability to pressure the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to make concessions and his resistance to demands from the military, elites or business interests.

The diplomat reportedly expressed his desire to establish ‘friendship’ with the Jamaat as a potential stabilizing force ahead of the 12 February 2026 elections and predicted that the party would ‘perform better than before’. They also called on journalists to normalize their coverage in the media, including on the Jamaat’s student wing (Chhatra Shibir), and positioned the United States as willing to use economic pressure (for example, tariffs on clothing) to prevent extreme policies such as imposing sharia law. Chhatra Shibir leaders in particular are spewing venom against India and the US has expressed its intention to work with them.

The diplomat also advised the Community against closer ties with China, citing the use of the European Union as a proxy for US interests and implying that this lack of alignment has trade repercussions.

The audio recording includes comments that the BNP is weakening itself through internal corruption and internal conflicts. The diplomat criticized the International Crimes Tribunal’s action against Sheikh Hasina as procedurally flawed, but said the evidence vindicated her guilt in the deaths of protesters during the 2024 uprising.

While critics have argued that speaking out risks straining US-India ties given the Jamaat’s history as an “illegal group” in India, US officials have emphasized neutrality and support for fair elections. This leak has sparked polarized debates in Bangladesh and beyond. Pro-Awami League users accuse the US of enabling Hindu oppression and Islamist rise, attributing it to anti-India protests and post-2024 minority attacks.

The last parliamentary elections in Bangladesh took place on January 7, 2024 for the 12th Jatiya Sangsad (national parliament). This resulted in Sheikh Hasina maintaining the power of the Awami League. However, the 2024 protests caused Hasina to flee to India, and Muhammad Younis later became the interim chief of the Bangladesh government.