Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which achieved a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections held in Bangladesh on Tuesday (February 17, 2026), and BNP Chief Tariq Rahman on becoming the newly elected Prime Minister. He said that as two close neighbours, India and Bangladesh enjoy a deep friendship, based on shared history, cultural ties and the aspirations of our people for peace and prosperity.
He said that strong coordination between our respective development priorities will serve as a guiding principle for our future cooperation.
PM Modi expressed desire to meet Tariq Rehman
Expressing his desire to meet Bangladeshi PM Tariq Rahman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our diverse bilateral relationships, enhance regional cooperation and advance our common goals in broad areas such as connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare as well as cultural and people-to-people contacts.
He said that as two fast-growing economies and emerging societies, India and Bangladesh can truly become catalysts for each other’s continued development, work for each other’s security and enable mutual prosperity.
Om Birla represented India at Tariq Rehman’s swearing in.
It is noteworthy that Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Tariq Rahman has taken oath as the newly elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh today at 10 am on Tuesday (February 17, 2026). At the swearing-in ceremony, Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to Tariq Rahman as Prime Minister.
At the same time, India was represented at the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh by Lok Sabha Speaker and senior BJP leader Om Birla. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Tariq Rehman and congratulated him on behalf of the whole of India along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
