India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the swearing‑in ceremony of Bangladesh’s new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday in Dhaka as the official representative of the Indian government. Birla’s visit follows the recent general election that brought the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) back to power after years out of government.
At the ceremony, Birla also conveyed a personal invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Rahman to visit India, aiming to rejuvenate diplomatic engagement between the two neighbouring countries.
Modi Extends Warm Invitation to Bangladesh PM
During his meeting with Rahman, Birla presented Modi’s formal letter of congratulations and invitation, highlighting the longstanding friendship between India and Bangladesh. The invitation extends not only to Rahman but also welcomes his family for a state visit at a time convenient for him.
Just concluded a constructive meeting with Prime Minister of Bangladesh @trahmanbnp
I handed over a personal letter from Prime Minister @narendramodi conveying his wishes to PM Rahman and inviting him to visit India at the earliest convenience.
I extended warm congratulations… pic.twitter.com/gFNqLmnxsT
— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) February 17, 2026
In his letter, Modi wrote that he looks forward to working closely with Rahman to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in areas such as connectivity, trade, technology, education, and cultural exchange. The gesture underlines India’s interest in deepening collaborative ties with Bangladesh under its new leadership.
Ceremony Marks Diplomatic Outreach After Political Transition
The swearing‑in event in Dhaka was attended by delegations from several countries, reflecting Bangladesh’s efforts to engage regionally and globally after its February 12 elections. Birla was accompanied by India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, emphasising India’s diplomatic recognition of the new administration.
Although Modi could not attend the ceremony himself due to prior engagements with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai, Birla’s presence reinforced India’s support for democratic processes and continued collaboration with Bangladesh.
Indian and Bangladeshi Leaders Express Optimism
At a courtesy meeting after the swearing‑in, both Om Birla and Tarique Rahman signalled a readiness to work together for mutual prosperity. Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, noted that Rahman conveyed his warm greetings to India and expressed enthusiasm about strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Birla also stressed India’s readiness to support Bangladesh’s democratic, progressive, and inclusive aspirations, emphasising shared values and historic ties between the neighbouring nations.
What This Means for India‑Bangladesh Relations
Relations between India and Bangladesh experienced strains during the interim government period that followed the exit of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Rahman’s electoral victory, ending years of political uncertainty, opened a fresh chapter in diplomacy. Indian outreach through Birla’s visit and Modi’s invitation aims to build on areas of mutual interest while addressing both economic and cultural ties.
The invitation for Rahman to visit India at his earliest convenience signals Delhi’s intention to pursue closer collaboration, expand trade engagements, and deepen people‑to‑people connections between the two countries.
As diplomatic interactions unfold, the renewed focus remains on consolidating peace, stability, and regional partnership in South Asia.
