Dhaka, Nov. 12 – After the Awami League’s fall in August 2024, Bangladesh’s political map has shifted. The country is now under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) headed by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Western governments have begun to welcome Rahman as a viable partner and even as a possible future prime minister, according to a report released on Wednesday.
The report, published by the South Asia Centre at the London School of Economics, says the change in strategy shows a bigger trend. For two decades, Western countries and multilateral organisations have stepped in to push for democratic accountability, rule‑of‑law reforms and anti‑corruption measures in Bangladesh. Yet those same institutions are now quietly backing leaders they once condemned. Rahman, who spent years in exile, is a prime example.
Why the shift? “The West has long used aid, diplomacy and governance programs to fight corruption and strengthen democracy,” the report says. “Now those same actors are ready to rewrite those narratives when it fits new geopolitical goals.” The analysts call this “instrumental internationalism.” In practice, it means global powers can flex moral language to suit their interests, turning regimes on or off the radar as international priorities change.
The report points out that the West has applied uneven standards to fragile democracies. Some governments see their human‑rights record condemned; others – especially those that align with Western interests – are praised or even shielded. Tarique Rahman’s recent political comeback shows how the same lobby can move from criticism to acceptance, allowing past accusations of corruption and “violent politics” to fade into the background.
In short, Bangladesh’s political future is now shaped by a mix of local rivalries and shifting foreign policy. The global community watches as the country balances its own democratic challenges with the realities of international politics.
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