Bangladesh plans to invite Modi, Tarique Rahman to take oath on February 17

Bangladesh is preparing to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other regional leaders to the swearing-in ceremony of Tarique Rahman as the country’s next prime minister on February 17. While Dhaka has reportedly communicated its plans to New Delhi, there is no official confirmation yet.

New Delhi: Bangladesh is learnt to be in the process of inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other regional leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the country’s next prime minister, Tarique Rahman, on February 17, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday.

It is learnt that Dhaka has already communicated its plan to New Delhi.

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Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has indicated that the leaders of several countries in the region would be invited for the ceremony.

There is no official word on the invitation yet.

Modi is unlikely to travel to Dhaka as he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on February 17.

New Delhi may send a senior government functionary to attend Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony, it is learnt.

In a phone conversation with Rahman on Friday, Modi congratulated the BNP leader on his party’s remarkable victory in the Bangladesh parliamentary election.

“I conveyed my best wishes and support in his endeavour to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh,” Modi said after the call.

“As two close neighbours with deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, I reaffirmed India’s continued commitment to the peace, progress, and prosperity of both our peoples,” he said.