PM Modi invited to Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony | Will he attend?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister-elect Tarique Rahman on February 17 in Dhaka. The invitation from Bangladesh followed the sweeping victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in the recent parliamentary elections.

Sources indicated that it is unlikely the Prime Minister will travel to Dhaka due to a scheduled bilateral engagement in Mumbai with French President Emmanuel Macron on the same day. Macron is visiting India to participate in the upcoming AI Impact Summit, and the meeting had been planned in advance.

India is expected to send a senior representative to the ceremony, possibly the Vice President or the External Affairs Minister. Diplomatic considerations are also at play, with Bangladesh reportedly inviting leaders from several regional nations, including Pakistan, and New Delhi weighing the optics of participation at a time when bilateral ties are in a sensitive phase.

Rahman, who is set to take oath on February 17, has said Bangladesh’s foreign policy will be guided by a “Bangladesh First” approach, emphasising national interests. In recent remarks, he stated that his government would seek balanced relations with neighbouring countries, including India, China and Pakistan.

Following the election results, Modi spoke with Rahman and reaffirmed India’s commitment to peace, progress and prosperity for both nations. The invitation to the swearing-in ceremony comes as the two countries look to navigate a new chapter in their relationship after recent political changes in Bangladesh.