India's Speaker Om Birla to Attend Bangladesh PM's Swearing-In

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will attend the swearing-in ceremony for Bangladesh's new Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, on February 17. Prime Minister Modi will not be able to attend due to other important meetings.
By Newsroom | Politics, International Relations |

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent India at the upcoming swearing-in ceremony of Tarique Rahman as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on February 17. This decision comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who received an invitation, was unable to attend due to prior commitments, including a scheduled meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to represent India as Tarique Rahman takes oath as Bangladesh PM - 1

The Bangladeshi Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, secured a significant victory in the recent general elections, winning two-thirds of the seats in the 300-member parliament. This electoral outcome marks a notable shift in Bangladesh's political landscape, particularly following the toppling of the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to represent India as Tarique Rahman takes oath as Bangladesh PM - 2

The participation of Speaker Om Birla at this event is intended to signify India's strong relationship with Bangladesh and its support for democratic values. Invitations for the ceremony have been extended to leaders from several countries, highlighting the regional importance of this transition of power.

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Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to represent India as Tarique Rahman takes oath as Bangladesh PM - 3

Transition of Power in Bangladesh and India's Diplomatic Engagement

The upcoming swearing-in ceremony for Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister of Bangladesh marks a significant moment following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)'s decisive victory in the February 2026 general elections. The BNP secured 209 seats out of 300, indicating a substantial mandate for Rahman's leadership. This election follows a period of political upheaval in August 2024, which led to the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to represent India as Tarique Rahman takes oath as Bangladesh PM - 4

  • Electoral Outcome: The BNP achieved a landslide victory, claiming a two-thirds majority in the parliament.

  • Timeline: The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for February 17.

  • Political Context: The transition occurs after the ousting of Sheikh Hasina's government and her subsequent departure from Bangladesh.

The Bangladeshi interim government, through its Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, extended invitations to leaders from 13 countries, including India, China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and others. This broad outreach underscores the regional significance of the new government's formation.

India's Representation and Diplomatic Stance

The Indian government has decided that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will attend the ceremony as India's official representative. This decision comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited but had to decline due to a prior engagement.

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"The Speaker’s participation at this important event underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh, reaffirming India’s steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind our two nations."

— Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India

  • Prime Minister Modi's Absence: PM Modi will be attending bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on the same day as the ceremony. He also has commitments related to the India-AI Impact Summit 2026.

  • Significance of Birla's Presence: The MEA statement emphasizes that Birla's attendance highlights the strong ties between India and Bangladesh and India's dedication to democratic principles.

  • PM Modi's Early Outreach: Prime Minister Modi was among the first world leaders to congratulate Tarique Rahman following the election results, engaging in a phone call on February 13 to acknowledge the BNP's victory.

Diplomatic Interactions and Regional Significance

The invitation extended to Prime Minister Modi was seen by some as a move by Rahman's government to foster constructive engagement with India. The BNP has expressed its hope that relations between the two countries will be strengthened under the new leadership.

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  • Invitations Extended: Invitations were sent to leaders from India, China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, the UAE, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan.

  • Focus on Bilateral Ties: The new BNP government has indicated a willingness to improve ties with India. However, a BNP adviser, Humayun Kabir, noted that India's actions should not undermine Bangladesh's sovereignty, suggesting that diplomatic cooperation can resume once concerns are addressed.

  • Ceremony Location: The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place at the South Plaza of the National Parliament House in Dhaka, a departure from the traditional venue at the presidential palace.

Background of Political Change

The election victory of the BNP-led alliance represents a significant political shift. The previous general election in February 2026 saw the BNP securing over 200 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies did not achieve their projected results. Notably, the Awami League, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was reportedly barred from participating in the polls.

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  • Hasina's Ouster: The political climate in Bangladesh changed significantly in August 2024, leading to the toppling of Sheikh Hasina's government. She subsequently took refuge in India.

  • BNP's Return: The BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, returns to power after Rahman spent 17 years in exile.

  • Shifting Relations: The transition is expected to lead to a recalibration of relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, which had experienced periods of uncertainty and strain under the previous administration.

Expert Analysis

  • Dr. Rohan Guha, a South Asia analyst at the Institute for Global Studies, commented on the significance of India's representation: "Sending the Lok Sabha Speaker, a high constitutional office, signals a clear intent from India to acknowledge the new government and maintain robust diplomatic channels. While the Prime Minister's absence is noted, the level of representation indicates that India is prepared to engage constructively with the incoming administration."

  • Professor Ayesha Khan, a political scientist specializing in Bangladeshi politics, observed: "The election results and the subsequent invitation to international leaders point to Bangladesh's strategic importance in the region. The focus will now be on how the new government navigates its foreign policy, particularly with its neighbours like India. The BNP's historical ties and the recent political shifts will undoubtedly shape these future interactions."

Conclusion and Future Implications

The swearing-in of Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla representing India, marks the formal commencement of a new political chapter for the nation. India's decision to send a senior representative, despite Prime Minister Modi's unavoidable absence, underscores the strategic importance of its relationship with Bangladesh.

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  • Continued Engagement: India's participation, even without its head of government, signals a commitment to continued diplomatic engagement and a desire to stabilize bilateral ties.

  • Regional Dynamics: The invitations extended to a wide range of countries suggest Bangladesh's intent to reassert its regional influence and balance its international partnerships.

  • Focus on Stability: Following a period of political instability, the new government's ability to ensure domestic stability and address the concerns of its neighbours will be crucial. The interaction between the BNP government and India, especially concerning border security and broader geopolitical considerations, will be closely monitored in the coming months.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who will represent India at the event?
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent India.
Q: Why can't Prime Minister Modi attend?
Prime Minister Modi has other important meetings scheduled, including one with the French President.
Q: When is the swearing-in ceremony?
The ceremony is planned for February 17.
Q: Who won the election in Bangladesh?
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won the recent general elections.