Bangladesh’s Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has been named in TIME magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People of 2026, according to a profile published on the magazine’s official website.
The prestigious list also includes several global figures such as Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
In its feature, TIME highlighted Tarique Rahman’s political journey, describing it as a remarkable transformation from years in exile in London to assuming national leadership in Bangladesh following the political shift of 2024, which saw the removal of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
The magazine noted that the 57-year-old leader evolved from an opposition figure into a “leader in waiting,” eventually returning to the country and securing a landslide electoral victory in February after nearly 17 years abroad.
It also mentioned that his return coincided with the passing of his mother Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister. According to the profile, Tarique responded to the moment by pledging national unity.
Reacting to the recognition, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Mahdi Amin described the inclusion as a matter of great pride. In a Facebook post, he said the recognition reflects Tarique Rahman’s leadership, resilience and role in restoring democratic values.
He added that Tarique emerged during a challenging period marked by restrictions on democracy, voting rights and freedom of expression, and played a key role in giving people renewed hope.
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