India has welcomed Bangladesh’s transition to an elected government under the leadership of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, following the party’s landslide victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha Om Birla will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s new cabinet on 17 February. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is also expected to accompany him, confirmed the diplomatic sources in New Delhi.
The participation of senior Indian officials underscores the strong and enduring friendship between the two countries and India’s support for democratic values in Bangladesh, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Earlier, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus had invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the ceremony.
While Prime Minister Modi is unable to attend due to the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, he personally congratulated Tarique Rahman over phone, describing the BNP’s victory as a “remarkable” mandate from the people of Bangladesh.
Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh, and expressed his willingness to work with the new government to strengthen bilateral cooperation and advance common development goals.
In addition to Indian officials, leaders from other South Asian countries have been invited to the ceremony.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen will represent China.
The swearing-in of Bangladesh’s new cabinet members will be administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin at 4pm on Tuesday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament.
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