Tariq Rahman: The recent elections in Bangladesh have paved the way for Tariq Rahman and his party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to return to power in the country after 20 years. The elections held on February 12 ended a 19-month political vacuum in Dhaka following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government following a student-led protest in 2024. With Tariq Rehman likely to take oath next week, all eyes are on what further steps Dhaka takes regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her exile in India.
BNP’s winning message and emphasis on democracy
After BNP got two-thirds majority in the general elections, Tariq Rehman’s party has given mixed signals regarding bilateral relations with India and Hasina’s extradition process. In his address the day after Friday’s victory, Tariq Rehman gave a message of unity and emphasized on democratic values. He said Bangladesh is about to embark on a new journey, ‘amid a weak economy that was left behind by an autocratic regime.’ He said, ‘This victory is of Bangladesh. This is the victory of democracy. This victory belongs to those who sacrificed for democracy. From today we are all free, the feeling of real freedom and rights has returned.
BNP’s stance on India-Bangladesh relations
When he was asked a question on India-Bangladesh relations, Tariq Rahman emphasized on the Bangladesh first policy. He said, ‘The interests of Bangladesh and its people will decide our foreign policy.’ He had earlier also said that the BNP government will maintain balanced relations with neighboring countries like India, China and Pakistan and will not consider anyone as its master.
Hasina’s extradition issue
On the day of Tariq Rehman’s victory, senior BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed again reiterated the demand for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition from India. Hasina has been living in India since August 5, 2024, when she had to resign from Bangladesh under pressure from the student movement. In November 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICT) of Bangladesh convicted him of crimes against humanity related to the crackdown on the 2024 protests and sentenced him to death. Dhaka has demanded India to extradite Hasina to Bangladesh.
Salahuddin said, ‘We always demand his extradition as per the law. This is a matter between the foreign ministries of the two countries. We have requested the Indian government to send him back so that he can face trial in Bangladesh. Tariq Rehman also said on the issue of Hasina that the extradition of the former Prime Minister depends on the legal process.
