Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received an invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman as the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh on February 17 in Dhaka. However, he is unlikely to attend due to prior commitments in Mumbai with French President Emmanuel Macron, NDTV reported. India is expected to be represented either by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar or Vice President CP Radhakrishnan.
The swearing-in of Tarique Rahman as Sheikh Hasina's successor in the office is drawing attention across South Asia. Diplomatic observers say India's level of participation will be closely watched as a signal of how New Delhi plans to engage with the new BNP-led government.
Tarique Rahman's oath-taking
February 17 will begin with the oath-taking of newly elected Members of Parliament. Later, Rahman and his cabinet will be sworn in.
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The oath will be administered by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, as per NDTV. The event marks the constitutional transition after the recent general election.
The BNP's return to power is significant. Past BNP governments have had complex ties with India. But recent statements from party leaders have stressed regional cooperation, trade, connectivity, and stability.
Bangladesh extends major diplomatic outreach
In a major diplomatic outreach, the Chief Advisor of the interim Bangladesh government, Muhammad Yunus, has invited heads of government from 13 countries. These include India, China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, and Bhutan, NDTV reported.
As regional leaders gather in Dhaka, the February 17 event is more than a domestic political ceremony. It is also an early test of how Bangladesh's new leadership positions itself in South Asia. India, in particular, will be watching closely from the front row.
