Dhaka witnessed a significant diplomatic moment on Tuesday as India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla landed in the Bangladeshi capital to represent the Indian government at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected administration. Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is set to take oath as the Prime Minister, marking a pivotal shift in the nation’s political landscape.
The event has drawn international attention, with leaders from various countries accepting invitations from Chief Adviser Yunus to attend. According to reports from Bangladeshi media outlet The Daily Star, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has also arrived in Dhaka for the ceremony, where he was welcomed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by interim government’s Foreign Adviser M Touhid Hossain.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement underscoring the importance of Birla’s presence. ‘The Honorable Speaker’s participation in this key event symbolizes the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh, reinforcing India’s steadfast commitment to democratic values that bind our two nations,’ it said.
Further emphasizing shared heritage, the statement added, ‘As neighboring countries united by a common history, culture, and mutual respect, India welcomes the elected government in Bangladesh under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, whose vision and principles have received overwhelming public support.’
The guest list is impressive, featuring Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, foreign ministers from Nepal and Sri Lanka, and representatives from several other nations. The interim government had extended invitations to over a dozen heads of government, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Notable attendees include Pakistan’s Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and the UK’s Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Seema Malhotra.
Tarique Rahman’s cabinet will see 25 BNP ministers taking oath, including prominent figures like Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, and others such as Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Hafizuddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, and Abdul Awal Mintu. This diverse lineup signals a robust governmental structure poised to address Bangladesh’s challenges.
Birla’s visit not only strengthens bilateral ties but also highlights India’s proactive role in supporting democratic transitions in the region. As Bangladesh embarks on this new chapter, the presence of global leaders underscores the country’s renewed commitment to stability and progress under BNP’s stewardship.