Modi invites Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman to India, signals fresh chapter in bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India with his family, underlining New Delhi’s intent to work closely with the new government in Dhaka and further deepen the long-standing partnership between the two neighbours.

In a congratulatory letter handed over by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during his visit to Dhaka for the swearing-in ceremony, Modi described India and Bangladesh as “close neighbours” bound by shared history, cultural ties, and the aspirations of their people for peace and prosperity. He said the strong convergence in developmental priorities between the two countries would serve as a guiding principle for future cooperation .

Congratulating Rahman on the victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in the recently concluded parliamentary elections and on his appointment as Prime Minister, Modi said the mandate reflected the trust reposed in Rahman’s leadership. He wished him success in steering Bangladesh towards peace, stability and prosperity. Rahman-led BNP secured a sweeping two-thirds majority , winning 209 seats with nearly 50 per cent of the vote. The Jamaat-e-Islami also recorded its best-ever performance, winning 68 seats.

Amid the political transition in Dhaka, New Delhi’s outreach reflects a broader principle guiding India’s foreign policy: national interest above party lines . Irrespective of which political formation assumes office in neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, India seeks to maintain stable and constructive ties , recognising that shared geography, economic interdependence, and security concerns demand continuity in engagement.

The Prime Minister expressed his eagerness to strengthen multifaceted bilateral ties, expand regional cooperation, and advance collaboration in connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare, and cultural exchanges. Describing India and Bangladesh as fast-growing economies, Modi said both nations could become catalysts for each other’s sustainable growth and security.

Extending a personal touch, Modi invited Rahman, along with Dr Zubaida Rahman and his daughter Zaima, to visit India at a mutually convenient time, assuring them of a warm welcome .

Modi could not attend the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka as he was scheduled to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai. Representing India at the ceremony, Birla reiterated that New Delhi stands ready to support Bangladesh in building a democratic, progressive and inclusive nation.