New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s newly elected government led by Tarique Rahman, as the event coincides with his pre-scheduled bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai.
Instead, Om Birla, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, will represent India at the oath-taking ceremony in Dhaka on February 17. He will be accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, official sources confirmed.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had formally invited Prime Minister Modi to attend the ceremony, along with leaders from several countries, including Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. However, government sources clarified that Modi’s engagement with President Macron had been scheduled weeks in advance, making the visit to Dhaka unfeasible.
In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said Om Birla’s presence at the ceremony highlights the “deep and enduring friendship” between India and Bangladesh and reaffirms India’s commitment to democratic values in the region. The MEA welcomed Bangladesh’s transition to an elected government under Tarique Rahman, stating that the mandate reflected the will of the Bangladeshi people.
Prime Minister Modi was among the first global leaders to congratulate Rahman after the BNP secured an absolute majority in the elections. In a post on X, Modi said the verdict reflected the trust reposed by the people of Bangladesh in Rahman’s leadership. Later, Modi also became the first foreign leader to personally speak with Rahman, offering India’s cooperation in supporting Bangladesh’s development and aspirations.
Responding positively, the BNP said Bangladesh remains committed to democratic values, inclusivity, and progressive development. The party expressed its intention to engage constructively with India to strengthen bilateral ties, emphasizing mutual respect, regional stability, and shared prosperity.
The developments underline India’s intent to maintain strong diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh, even as Prime Minister Modi balances multiple high-level international commitments.
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