Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended a warm invitation to Bangladesh’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) electoral victory, signaling India’s intent to deepen engagement with Dhaka’s new leadership. In a congratulatory letter sent soon after the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka, PM Modi expressed confidence that bilateral relations would grow stronger under Rahman’s leadership and emphasized the importance of shared development priorities.
Congratulating Rahman on his victory, PM Modi said the mandate reflected the trust placed in him by the people of Bangladesh for peace, stability and prosperity. He highlighted that India and Bangladesh share a deep-rooted friendship founded on common history, cultural ties and strong people-to-people connections. Modi reaffirmed that cooperation between the two neighbours would continue to expand across key sectors including connectivity, trade, technology, education, energy, healthcare and broader developmental partnerships. He also invited Rahman and his family to visit India at a mutually convenient time, assuring them of a warm welcome.
India moved swiftly to reaffirm ties following the political transition in Bangladesh. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka as India’s official representative and personally handed over PM Modi’s letter to Tarique Rahman. During their meeting, both leaders exchanged greetings and expressed optimism about advancing cooperation through a people-centric partnership agenda aimed at benefiting citizens of both countries.
Bangladesh’s interim authorities had invited several regional leaders to the ceremony, underscoring Dhaka’s continued engagement with South Asia and beyond. According to BNP leaders, interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus invited heads of government from 13 countries including India, China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives and Bhutan. Although Prime Minister Modi was unable to attend due to prior bilateral engagements with French President Emmanuel Macron, India’s participation through Om Birla reflected New Delhi’s commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic ties.
The latest outreach from New Delhi highlights India’s strategic focus on regional stability and cooperation in South Asia. With growing emphasis on connectivity projects, economic collaboration and technological partnerships, the India-Bangladesh relationship is expected to remain a key pillar of regional diplomacy. Modi’s invitation to Rahman signals the beginning of a new phase in bilateral engagement, centered on mutual growth, stability and shared prosperity.
