New Delhi / Dhaka: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited newly elected Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India, expressing optimism about working closely with his government to strengthen bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.
In a congratulatory letter sent after Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka, Modi described the Bangladesh leader’s election victory as a reflection of the trust and confidence placed in him by the Bangladeshi people. Rahman leads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which secured a decisive two-thirds majority in the parliamentary elections held on February 12.
“As two close neighbors, India and Bangladesh share a deep-rooted friendship founded on shared history, cultural ties, and the aspirations of our peoples for peace and prosperity,” Modi wrote. He added that strong alignment between the two countries’ development priorities would guide future cooperation.
Modi said he looked forward to expanding collaboration across a wide range of areas, including connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare, and people-to-people exchanges. He emphasized that as fast-growing economies, India and Bangladesh could serve as catalysts for each other’s sustainable growth and regional security.
The letter was formally delivered by Om Birla, India’s Speaker of the Lok Sabha, who attended Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka. Following the event, Birla said India stood ready to support Bangladesh’s efforts to build a democratic, progressive, and inclusive nation.
Modi also extended a personal invitation to Rahman to visit India with his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Zaima, at a mutually convenient time.
Although Bangladesh had invited Modi to attend the ceremony in person, the Indian prime minister was unable to do so due to prior diplomatic engagements, including scheduled talks in Mumbai with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Rahman’s government takes office at a time of significant political change in Bangladesh, following an election that reshaped the country’s political landscape and drew regional attention to the future trajectory of India–Bangladesh relations.