Will PM Modi attend Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in in Dhaka next week? Here’s what we know
Tarique Rahman of the BNP is poised to become Bangladesh's new Prime Minister, marking a pivotal shift in the nation's political landscape. With invitations to world leaders like PM Modi, hopes for improved international relations are on the rise. Will PM Modi visit Dhaka on 17 February?
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other regional leaders, to the swearing-in ceremony of its leader, Tarique Rahman, following the party's resounding victory in Bangladesh's national elections. Rahman will take the oath as Bangladesh's prime minister on Tuesday, 17 February.
Humayun Kabir, foreign policy advisor to BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, told WION that PM Modi might be invited to the oath-taking, signalling a potential thaw in strained bilateral ties between the two neighbouring nations.
The list of invited countries, other than India, includes China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, and Bhutan.
There is no official confirmation yet from the Government of India or the interim Government of Bangladesh about Modi’s attendance at the swearing-in.
Will PM Modi go to Dhaka?
The invitation to PM Modi marks an important moment in India-Bangladesh relations under the new political leadership in Dhaka.
New Delhi has already signalled its desire to engage with the new leadership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally congratulated Rahman for his “decisive” victory in a post on X and indicated a desire to “strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals.” Modi later spoke with Rahman on the phone, too.
But it's unlikely that PM Modi will attend the swearing-in. PM Modi rarely attends oath-taking functions. The last exception was in 2018 when PM Modi attended the oath-taking of Maldives' President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
On Tuesday, the day Rahman takes oath, PM Modi and visiting French President Emmanuel Macron will be holding bilateral talks in Mumbai.
Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, will arrive in Mumbai on Monday evening. After talks in Mumbai on Tuesday, Macron arrives in Delhi on Thursday to attend the India AI Impact Summit.
Reset in India-Bangladesh ties?
Throughout the fifteen years of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government in Bangladesh, New Delhi enjoyed friendly ties with Dhaka.
However, the New Delhi-Dhaka ties started deteriorating soon after the ouster of the Hasina-led Awami League regime on 5 August 2024 and the subsequent violence against minorities, particularly the Hindu community.
Kabir told news agency PTI that Tarique Rahman wants to reset ties with India.
“It's not for the party, it's for the governments of both countries, for the government of India as well as the new elected government of Bangladesh... to change the mindset. But the onus is on India,” he said.
If India can adopt a mindset that realises that Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League don't exist in today's Bangladesh, Kabir said.
“And the resounding victory of the mandate given to the BNP by the people of Bangladesh, clearly points towards that direction. And if they realise and welcome that, and restrain a terrorist like Sheikh Hasina, who has killed 1.5 thousand people or more, and fled to India. and of course, positive cooperation can be developed and looked at and that's normalcy in diplomacy, it should be,” he said.
PM Modi's call with Tarique Rahman was very cordial, very good, Kabir said.
Earlier on Saturday, the BNP acknowledged PM Modi's congratulatory message following the party's sweeping victory in Bangladesh's parliamentary elections earlier this month.
BNP thanks PM Modi
In a post on X, the BNP expressed appreciation for Modi's message and recognition of its leadership. "Thank you very much, Honourable @narendramodi. We greatly appreciate your kind acknowledgment of Mr. 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 party further underscored its commitment to democratic governance and national development. "Bangladesh remains committed to upholding democratic values, inclusivity, and progressive development for all its citizens."
The BNP signalled its intent to work closely with New Delhi in the coming years. “We look forward to engaging constructively with India to advance our multifaceted relationship, guided by mutual respect, sensitivity to each other's concerns, and a shared commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in our region.”
On Friday, PM Modi extended his warm wishes to Tarique Rahman following the BNP's electoral triumph, which marked a significant political shift in Bangladesh's leadership landscape. In his message posted on X, Modi congratulated Rahman on steering the party to a decisive mandate.
"I convey my warm congratulations to Mr. 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. @trahmanbnp @bdbnp78"
The 2026 Bangladeshi general election, held on 12 February 2026, marked a major political shift. It was the first election after the 2024 mass protests that ousted long-time leader Sheikh Hasina.
The BNP , led by Tarique Rahman, won a landslide majority in the 300-seat parliament, securing well over the 151 seats needed to form a government and positioning Rahman as prime minister-designate. The Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami alliance emerged as the main opposition.
(With agency inputs)