As Tarique Rahman prepares to be sworn in as Prime Minister after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s election victory, a senior BNP leader has said PM Modi should be invited to the oath-taking ceremony in Dhaka.
As Tarique Rahman prepares to assume office as Bangladesh’s next Prime Minister, with the oath-taking scheduled soon, a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be invited to Dhaka for the swearing-in ceremony.
BNP leader ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milan expressed hope that South Asian leaders, including Modi, would be invited. Humayun Kabir, foreign policy advisor to Tarique Rahman, confirmed the plans to WION, describing the invitation as a goodwill gesture aimed at improving ties and signalling a potential thaw in bilateral relations after years of tension under the previous administration.
“The region is important to us. It is an important part of Tarique Rahman’s foreign policy to make this region influential. There is a sense of priority in sending out invitations for the inauguration. The time frame is short, but the gesture is there,” Kabir said, adding that invitations are extended with the expectation that leaders would attend as a goodwill gesture.
Speaking to reporters in Dhaka after the party’s victory, Milan said he hoped all global leaders would be invited, adding that inviting Modi would be a matter of general courtesy. He also outlined the party’s foreign policy approach as “friends to all, malice to none”.
The remarks come as the BNP prepares to form the next government after securing a decisive mandate in the 13th national parliament elections held on February 12. The result marks the party’s return to power after nearly two decades, with Tarique Rahman set to take office as Prime Minister, in line with the party’s earlier announcement.
According to the Bangladesh Election Commission, results for 297 seats have been declared. BNP candidates have won 209 seats and are leading in two constituencies where results remain suspended. BNP allies have secured three additional seats, taking the BNP-led alliance’s total to 212 seats.
In comparison, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has won 68 seats, while its allies in the 11-party alliance have secured nine more, bringing their total to 77 seats. The Election Commission has issued the official gazette notification for the elected Members of Parliament, according to Prothom Alo.
Preparations for the formation of the new government are under way. The new cabinet is expected to be sworn in within the next three to four days. The oath-taking ceremony will be held at Bangabhaban and administered by Mohammed Shahabuddin, in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Cabinet secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid said preparations are complete and the ceremony could be held within three days, or at most four days, with arrangements in place for around 1,000 guests.
The developments come amid diplomatic outreach from New Delhi. PM Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on the BNP’s electoral victory and reaffirmed India’s commitment to strong bilateral ties, expressing support for efforts to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh and reiterating commitment to peace, progress and prosperity for both nations.
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