In Shorts
- Om Birla will attend Tarique Rahman’s PM oath ceremony in Dhaka on February 17
- PM Narendra Modi unable to attend due to prior official commitments
- India’s participation highlights continued diplomatic ties with Bangladesh
India has deputed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to attend the swearing in ceremony of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister designate Tarique Rahman, scheduled to take place in Dhaka on February 17.
Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, is set to assume office after his party secured a decisive mandate in the recently held 2026 general elections in Bangladesh. The BNP’s victory paved the way for the formation of a new government following the electoral process conducted under the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus.
Bangladesh had extended invitations to heads of government and senior representatives from 13 countries including India, China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, the UAE, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Malaysia to attend the ceremony.
Although Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to the inauguration event, he will not be able to travel to Dhaka due to pre scheduled engagements in Mumbai on the same day. In his place, Birla will lead the Indian delegation, accompanied by senior officials including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that Birla’s participation in the oath taking ceremony underlines the enduring friendship between the people of India and Bangladesh and reaffirms India’s commitment to democratic processes in the region.
Rahman is expected to formally take oath as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh after winning a parliamentary majority in the national elections. His appointment marks a significant political transition in Dhaka and is being closely watched across South Asia for its potential impact on regional diplomacy and bilateral ties with New Delhi.
India’s representation at the ceremony is seen as an effort to maintain continuity in diplomatic engagement with the incoming leadership in Bangladesh as the neighbouring nation prepares for a new phase in governance.
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