Dhaka, February 17 – Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met with the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman, following the swearing-in of the BNP government in Dhaka on Tuesday.
"I was pleased to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Government of Bangladesh, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, in Dhaka today. India stands ready to support Bangladesh's efforts to build a democratic, progressive, and inclusive nation," Birla posted on X after the meeting.
During the meeting, Birla extended his congratulations to Rahman on assuming office and also invited him to visit India. The two leaders expressed optimism about working together for the well-being of the people of India and Bangladesh.
In a statement shared on X, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, stated, "Prime Minister, H.E. Tarique Rahman, conveyed his greetings to India and Prime Minister Hon. Narendra Modi, in a courtesy meeting following the swearing-in of the new Government."
"The Hon. Speaker conveyed greetings from India and an invitation to visit India. Both leaders expressed optimism about working together for the well-being of the people of Bangladesh and India, pursuing a people-centric approach to cooperation," he added.
Earlier in the day, Tarique Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sworn in as the 11th Prime Minister of Bangladesh, following his party's decisive victory in the 13th parliamentary elections.
Following his oath, other members of the cabinet, including BNP leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, were also sworn in. President of Bangladesh, Mohammed Shahabuddin, administered the oath at the South Plaza of the National Parliament in Dhaka.
The BNP's 50-member cabinet comprises 25 ministers and 24 state ministers, with three technocrats.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla represented the Indian government at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government in Dhaka.
In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, "The Hon. 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."
It further stated, "As neighbors united by a shared history, culture, and mutual respect, India welcomes Bangladesh's transition to an elected government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, whose vision and values have received an overwhelming mandate from the people."
