Speaker Om Birla to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-elect Tarique Rahman on February 17
India has confirmed high-level representation at the upcoming transition of power in neighboring Bangladesh. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is scheduled to travel to Dhaka to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-elect Tarique Rahman on February 17.
Government sources indicate that this decision highlights the critical importance New Delhi places on its diplomatic ties with Dhaka. Sending a senior constitutional authority like the Lok Sabha Speaker underscores the shared democratic values that bind the two neighboring nations together.
While the interim administration in Bangladesh had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he will not be able to travel to Dhaka due to prior diplomatic commitments. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on the same day. Consequently, Om Birla will lead the Indian presence at the event.
Tarique Rahman, the chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is returning to power following a massive landslide victory. His party secured 209 out of 297 parliamentary seats, marking a significant political shift after the ouster of former premier Sheikh Hasina in 2024. Rahman, who spent 17 years in exile in London, has now emerged as the central figure in Bangladesh's new political landscape.
Several international leaders are expected to join the ceremony. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is among the confirmed dignitaries. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has invited representatives from 13 nations, including China, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, signaling a broad international interest in Bangladesh's new chapter.
Following the election results, Prime Minister Modi personally congratulated Rahman, emphasizing India's commitment to the peace and progress of both peoples. In response, the BNP has expressed a desire for constructive engagement with India, based on mutual respect and sensitivity to each other's strategic concerns. Rahman has previously stated that his government will pursue balanced relations with all regional powers.
Image Source: Views Bangladesh
