United News of Bangladesh

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held a courtesy meeting with Bangladesh’s Leader of the Opposition and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman and discussed issues of mutual interest. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of the new government on Tuesday. The Indian FS conveyed greetings to Dr Rahman on his new role and reaffirmed India’s enduring support to Bangladesh, underscoring the people-centric nature of the ties, according to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. Dr Shafiqur at the meeting highlighted the deep civilisational bonds shared by the two countries and expressed hope for stronger bilateral relations. The Foreign Secretary of India accompanied Speaker Om Birla at the oath-taking ceremony.

Global leaders on Tuesday attended the oath-taking ceremony of the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, underscoring international interest in Bangladesh’s political transition. President of Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, Speaker of the Indian parliament, Om Birla, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiative of Pakistan, Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Nepalese Foreign Minister, Bala Nanda Sharma, Sri Lankan Minister for Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci ; and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) of UK Seema Malhotra represented their respective governments and countries in the ceremony. Following the ceremony, the visiting leaders paid separate courtesy calls on the new Prime Minister. The meetings were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, reflecting the longstanding ties and close friendship between Bangladesh and those countries. During the meetings, the leaders congratulated the Bangladesh Prime Minister for the huge electoral victory of his party and the democratic transition of Bangladesh. During the discussions, Bangladesh Prime Minister and the visiting leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to further strengthening and advancing bilateral relations based on mutual respect, shared interests, and the collective well-being of their peoples, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They discussed renewed bilateral engagement in trade and investment, connectivity, energy, education, healthcare, climate change, migration, people-to-people contacts, and regional collaboration. Visiting leaders from India, Nepal and Türkiye handed over congratulatory letters from their respective Heads of Government and invited the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit their countries at mutually convenient dates. Other leaders also extended similar invitations during the meetings. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude to all visiting dignitaries for attending the swearing-in ceremony and for their continued support and goodwill towards Bangladesh and her people.

President of the Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday met newly elected Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to work closely with Bangladesh to further strengthen the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries. The meeting was held at The Jatiya Sangsad following the oath-taking ceremony of the Prime Minister and the new government of Bangladesh. During the meeting, the President congratulated the Prime Minister and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on their victory in the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12. Dhaka, Delhi can work for each other's security, prosperity: Modi tells Tarique The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to the President for attending the oath-taking ceremony. The two leaders discussed a broad range of areas to enhance cooperation, including trade and investment, health cooperation, environmental collaboration, higher education and improved air connectivity. This visit marks President Dr Muizzu’s first official visit to Bangladesh, said the President’s office. Diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the Maldives were established on September 22, 1978.

Inviting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his family to visit India, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said Bangladesh and India can truly become catalysts for each other's sustainable growth, work for each other's security and enable mutual prosperity as two fast-growing economies and aspiring societies. “I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations, enhance regional cooperation, and advance our common goals in wide-ranging areas of connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” he said in a letter that was handed over to Prime Minister Tarique on Tuesday. Tarique Rahman: From London exile to Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha Om Birla represented the government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh led by Tarique Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accompanied the Speaker.

Prime Minister of Japan Takaichi Sanae on Tuesday congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and said she looks forward to working with her Bangladesh counterpart to strengthen the “strategic partnership” between the two countries. In her letter to Prime Minister Tarique, Prime Minister Takaichi extended her congratulations on Prime Minister Rahman’s assumption in office as Prime Minister. She also welcomed the further promotion of democratic effort in Bangladesh and expressed that she looks forward to working with Prime Minister Rahman to further develop the bilateral relations based on the “strategic partnership” between the two countries. Tarique Rahman sworn in as Prime Minister BNP Chairman was sworn in as the 11th Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad.

Congratulating Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Chinese Premier of the State Council Li Qiang Li on Tuesday said he stands ready to work with the Prime Minister to carry forward the long-standing friendship, enhance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. He laid emphasis on continued exchanges in all sectors, elevating the Bangladesh-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a new level, so as to bring more benefit to the two peoples. Li Qiang wrote in the message that China and Bangladesh are neighbors enjoying long-standing friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partners. “Friendly ties between the two countries go back a long way,” he said, adding that over the past 51 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Bangladesh and China have always respected and treated each other as equals, pursued mutually beneficial cooperation and win-win results, setting a fine example of exchanges between countries. He said the Chinese government supports the new Bangladeshi government in exercising smooth governance. BNP Chairman Tarique was sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister on Tuesday afternoon. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered him the oath at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban around 4:15pm. Earlier in the day, BNP Parliamentary Party at a meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban elected Tarique Rahman as leader of the party’s parliamentary party.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday. During the meeting, Tobgay thanked the Chief Adviser for holding a free, fair, peaceful and credible election at a critical time, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Tobgay arrived in Dhaka earlier in the afternoon to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet led by Tarique Rahman. Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain received him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

Dhaka, Feb 17 (UNB) - Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha Om Birla arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday represented the government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh led by Tarique Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accompanied the Speaker. BNP Chairman Tarique was sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister on Tuesday afternoon. President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban around 4:15pm. Tarique Rahman sworn in as Prime Minister Earlier in the day, BNP Parliamentary Party at a meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban elected Tarique Rahman as leader of the party’s parliamentary party. The Indian Air Force special aircraft carrying the Indian delegation landed at the Bangladesh Air Force airbase in Dhaka, a senior official told UNB. Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary Dr Md Nazrul Islam, Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Pranay Verma and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Md Riaz Hamidullah received the delegation. The Speaker’s participation in this ‘important event’ underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of Bangladesh and India, reaffirming India's steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind the two nations, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday. As neighbours united by a shared history, culture, and mutual respect, India welcomed Bangladesh's transition to an elected government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, whose vision and values have received an overwhelming mandate of the people, the MEA said in a statement. Earlier, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the swearing-in ceremony as BNP is set to form the government with a landslide victory against an alliance led by Jamaat-NCP. The Indian Prime Minister was one of the global leaders who congratulated BNP first. BNP MPs-elect take oath as members of parliament He spoke with the BNP chief over the phone and extended support in his endeavour to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. "Delighted to speak with Tarique Rahman. I congratulated him on the remarkable victory in the Bangladesh elections," PM Modi said. He conveyed his best wishes and support in his endeavour to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. "As two close neighbours with deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, I reaffirmed India’s continued commitment to the peace, progress, and prosperity of both our peoples," said the Indian Prime Minister. In a separate message through his X handle, PM Modi conveyed his warm congratulations to Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. "This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership," PM Modi said. India will continue to stand in support of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh, he said. "I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals," PM Modi said. The new cabinet members of Bangladesh’s incoming government will be sworn in at 4pm on Tuesday at the South Plaza of Parliament, with President Mohammed Shahabuddin administering the oath. Leaders of other South Asian countries will also join the swearing-in ceremony. Ready to work with PM Tarique to enhance Dhaka-Beijing cooperation: Chinese PM

British Minister Seema Malhotra will attend the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh later today. She paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday. British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke and Senior Secretary for SDGs Affairs Lamiya Morshed were, among others, present on the occasion. Seema Malhotra MP was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities) in the Department for Education on 8 October 2024 and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 6 September 2025. She was previously Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Home Office between 8 October 2024 to 6 September 2025. She was elected as the MP for Feltham and Heston in the general election of July 2024.

Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong has congratulated Tarique Rahman who is set to become Prime Minister of Bangladesh. "Congratulations to Tarique Raman on securing a strong mandate in Bangladesh’s general election," said the Prime Minister of Singapore and Minister for Finance. In a message from his verified social media handle X on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said this outcome reflects the confidence of the Bangladeshi people in Tarique Rahman's leadership. "I look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen Singapore-Bangladesh ties," Prime Minister Wong said. The newly elected members of parliament (MPs) of BNP took the oath of office at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Tuesday morning.