Om Birla to Attend Tarique Rahman Swearing-In in Dhaka on February 17

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s new government led by Tarique Rahman in Dhaka on February 17, the government announced on Sunday.

An official statement said Birla’s participation reflects the “deep and enduring friendship” between India and Bangladesh, and reaffirms New Delhi’s commitment to democratic processes in the neighbourhood.

Modi Unable to Attend

Bangladesh had formally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the ceremony. However, Modi will be engaged in bilateral talks with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai the same day. He is also scheduled to attend the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 being hosted concurrently.

Officials said the ceremony will mark the formal beginning of Bangladesh’s new government under Rahman, who heads the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Representatives from several countries are expected to attend the event.

India Welcomes Democratic Transition

The statement described India and Bangladesh as neighbours bound by shared history, culture and mutual respect. It added that New Delhi welcomed the transition to an elected government in Dhaka following the recent polls.

Prime Minister Modi was among the first global leaders to congratulate Rahman after the election results were declared and conveyed his support for efforts aimed at fulfilling the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people during a telephone conversation.

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