Bangladesh polls: Tarique Rahman’s BNP plans to invite PM Modi to its swearing-in ceremony

DHAKA: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is set to form the govt soon, is inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new govt as the party led by its chairman Tarique Rahman wants to engage constructively with India to advance the multifaceted relationship between the two neighbours. The newly elected MPs are expected to take oath by Feb 17, cabinet secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid said on Saturday.Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif and other heads of govt of Saarc countries are among the leaders who will be invited to the swearing-in ceremony, senior BNP leaders indicated. This would be only the second time after PM Modi’s swearing-in in 2014 that such an assembly of leaders of south Asian countries would take place.“We look forward to engaging constructively with India to advance our multifaceted relationship, guided by mutual respect, sensitivity to each other’s concerns, and a shared commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in our region,” BNP said while responding to PM Modi’s message on his verified social media handle X.“Thank you very much. We greatly appreciate your kind acknowledgement of Tarique Rahman’s leadership in securing the BNP’s decisive win in the national elections,” BNP said.BNP chairman Rahman said the country’s foreign policy will be decided keeping the interests of Bangladesh and the people of the country in mind. In response to questions from an Indian journalist, he said, “The interests of the people of Bangladesh and country come first; we will decide the foreign policy by seriously considering their interests.” Rahman said Saarc was initiated by Bangladesh and he would want to revive it.“We are about to begin our journey in a situation marked by a fragile economy left behind by the authoritarian regime, weakened constitutional and statutory institutions, and a deteriorating law and order situation,” said the BNP chief.The interim govt of Bangladesh will organise the swearing-in ceremony. The date of the swearing-in ceremony and the guest list have not been finalised yet.