“We support free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh and the return of the BNP leader from London should be seen in this context,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during the weekly media briefing in New Delhi.
Tariq Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday after 17 years of self-imposed exile amid a serious political crisis. He arrived at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman.
Rahman’s return comes as the Bangladesh Election Commission has announced the country’s 13th national parliamentary elections and a referendum on the July Charter, which are scheduled for February 12 next year.
Analysts believe the return of Tariq Rehman and his possible participation in the February 2026 elections will be a test of circumstances amid the ongoing political turmoil under the Mohammad Yunus-led interim government. There is increasing pressure on the interim government to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
Critics also say that in Bangladesh’s unstable political environment, Rahman’s return could deepen tensions across the country.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated its commitment to India-Bangladesh relations strengthened by the historical heritage and development of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and people-to-people contacts.
Randhir Jaiswal said, “Our stand on Bangladesh has always been clear and consistent. India is in favor of strengthening relations with the people of Bangladesh. We are supporters of peace and stability there. Our view on elections is also clear. We support free, fair, inclusive and participatory elections in a peaceful environment.”
Responding to a question related to India’s financial assistance to Dhaka, the MEA said that even though circumstances may have changed, India stands in favor of peace and stability in Bangladesh and wants to maintain strong relations with the people there.
Let us tell you that under the Yunus-led interim government, there has been a rapid increase in incidents of violence in Bangladesh in the last few months, which also includes incidents of targeting of Hindu minorities across the country.
The Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that India is continuously monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and has registered its serious concerns with the Bangladeshi authorities regarding the attacks on minorities, especially Hindus.
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