New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Bangladesh’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his electoral victory and invited
him to visit India, saying the two countries can “work for each other’s security and enable mutual prosperity”, in a personal letter handed over by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The PM also extended an invitation to Rahman to visit India.
The Lok Sabha speaker along with foreign secretary Vikram Misri attended the swearing-in ceremony on behalf of the Government of India.
“I extend my warmest congratulations to you on the victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party at the just-concluded parliamentary elections in Bangladesh and on your appointment as the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh,” Modi wrote. He said the victory reflected the trust reposed by the people of Bangladesh in Rahman’s leadership and vision for peace, stability and prosperity.
‘India and Bangladesh share a deep-rooted friendship’
Highlighting bilateral ties, Modi said India and Bangladesh share a deep-rooted friendship based on shared history, cultural links and common aspirations. He said he looked forward to working closely with Rahman to strengthen multifaceted cooperation in connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare and people-to-people exchanges.
“As two fast-growing economies and aspiring societies, India and Bangladesh can truly become catalysts for each other’s sustainable growth, work for each other’s security and enable mutual prosperity,” the letter said.
PM Modi also invited Rahman, along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima, to visit India at a mutually convenient time, adding that a warm welcome awaits them. “A warm welcome awaits you in India,” he wrote.
Rahman’s BNP registers landslide victory
Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), took oath as prime minister after his party registered a landslide victory in the February 12 elections, winning 209 of 297 seats.
The interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus had invited PM Modi to attend the swearing-in ceremony, but the Prime Minister declined due to prior engagements, including meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and an AI summit in India.
In a post on X, Birla said India stands ready to support Bangladesh’s efforts to build a democratic, progressive and inclusive nation, while Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah said both sides expressed optimism about expanding people-centric cooperation.
