PM Modi To Skip Bangladesh PM-Elect Tarique Rahman's Swearing-In Ceremony; Speaker Om Birla To Attend

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be traveling to Dhaka to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh's next prime minister Tarique Rahman, on February 17, reports indicated. PM Modi is slated to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron during that time. 

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri would be traveling to Dhaka to fill in for the Prime Minister to attend Rahman's swearing-in ceremony. India is among 13 countries invited by Bangladesh to attend the ceremony.

“Shri Om Birla, Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha, will represent the Government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh led by H.E. Mr. Tarique Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, in Dhaka on February 17, 2026,” the MEA said in a statement.

"The Hon’ble Speaker’s participation at this important event underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh, reaffirming India's steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind our two nations," it added.

Dhaka's early diplomatic outreach to New Delhi signals an attempt to better ties with the two neighbouring countries, whose relations have not been at the best in recent months, owing to reports of multiple killings of the Hindu minority community in Bangladesh and high-voltage rhetoric against India, when the Mohammad Yunus-led Interim Government was in charge.

The invitations were issued under the supervision of Yunus who has initiated formal preparations for the transition of power. 

Prothom Alo reported that the countries invited to Bangladesh for the mega even includes China, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives and Bhutan.

The ceremony will take place on Tuesday afternoon at the South Plaza of the National Parliament complex in Dhaka. Members of the new cabinet are also expected to take oath along with prime minister-designate Rahman.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has publicly acknowledged PM Modi’s congratulatory message following its electoral victory. The winning party has also expressed its readiness to work closely with India to advance bilateral relations based on mutual respect and shared regional interests.

“Thank you very much, Honourable @narendramodi. We greatly appreciate your kind acknowledgment of Tarique Rahman's leadership in securing the BNP's decisive win in the national elections. This outcome reflects the trust and confidence the people of Bangladesh have placed in our leadership and in the democratic process,” the BNP posted on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm wishes to Rahman after the BNP's electoral triumph.

“I convey my warm congratulations to Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership. India will continue to stand in support of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals,” PM Modi posted on X.

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