A historic turning point has come in the politics of Bangladesh. Party Chairman Tariq Rahman is going to become the new Prime Minister after the landslide victory of Bangladesh Nationalist Party in the first national election after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. The swearing-in ceremony to be held in Dhaka on February 17 is being given international importance, where invitations have been sent to leaders of 13 countries including India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to attend the event, although there is no official confirmation from India yet and a decision on Modi’s participation is yet to be taken. Both countries are trying to give a new direction to bilateral relations. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is expected to attend.
Invitation sent to these 13 countries
Chief advisor to the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, has invited leaders of 13 countries for the oath ceremony. These include India, China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan. This list offers a glimpse of regional balance and the new foreign policy of Bangladesh.
BNP’s huge victory and election results
BNP won 209 out of 297 seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami alliance got 68 seats. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League was prevented from contesting the elections. Voting percentage was 59.44. After the election results were declared, Prime Minister Modi spoke to Tariq Rehman on phone.
Tariq Rehman’s attitude towards India
Tariq Rahman, who returned to London after 17 years of self-exile, in his first comments on relations with India after the election victory, said that the interests of Bangladesh will be the basis of his foreign policy. The interests of Bangladesh and its people will determine our foreign policy, Rahman said, and he wants to maintain balanced relations with regional powers like India, China and Pakistan, and does not consider any country as master. Responding to Modi’s post, BNP said that 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.
sheikh hasina status
Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power in August 2024 following massive student-led protests, is currently living in India, where she came as a refugee. Bangladesh has sentenced him to death in connection with the deaths during the protests and is seeking his extradition.
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