BNP to invite Modi to Tarique’s swearing-in, says party leader

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) plans to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming swearing-in ceremony of party Chairman Tarique Rahman as Bangladesh’s new prime minister, following BNP’s landslide victory in 13th national parliamentary elections.

In an interview with Indian news channel WION on February 14, Humayun Kabir, Foreign Policy Adviser to Tarique Rahman, confirmed the invitation. 

The oath-taking ceremony is expected in the coming days, with preparations underway for Tarique Rahman, son of late Khaleda Zia and former prime minister, to assume office after 17 years in exile.

Kabir emphasized the regional importance of the gesture, describing it as part of Tarique Rahman’s foreign policy vision. 

“Region is important to us. An important part of the foreign policy of Tarique Rahman… Making this region an influential region. Sense of priority in sending out invitations for the inauguration,” he said.

He added that the invitation is a goodwill gesture aimed at improving bilateral relations. “You give an invitation for people to attend, you will have expectations that you attend. A goodwill gesture,” Kabir said.

The new government also intends to pursue a balanced approach to regional cooperation, he noted, highlighting multilateral platforms such as South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) as key avenues for engagement.

The announcement comes amid a wave of international congratulations following BNP’s decisive victory in the 12 February elections, marking a major political shift after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government on August 5, 2024.

Prime Minister Modi has already reached out to Tarique Rahman via phone, congratulating him on “remarkable victory” and expressing India’s support for a democratic and progressive Bangladesh.

SH