What Happened
- Bangladesh invited Prime Minister Modi and leaders of 13 countries to attend the swearing-in ceremony of BNP chief Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister on February 17 in Dhaka.
- PM Modi is expected to decline the invitation as he will be in Mumbai for bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, followed by chairing the AI Impact Summit in Delhi.
- Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra will lead the Indian delegation to the oath-taking ceremony instead.
- PM Modi had earlier spoken to Rahman over phone, congratulating him on BNP's landslide victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Elections, where BNP won 209 out of 297 seats.
- Other countries invited include China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan.
Static Topic Bridges
India-Bangladesh Bilateral Relations
India-Bangladesh relations formally began in 1971 when India recognized an independent Bangladesh and played a decisive military role in the Liberation War. The relationship has oscillated depending on which party governs Bangladesh. Under the Awami League's Sheikh Hasina (2009-2024), ties experienced a "golden era" marked by the Land Boundary Agreement (2015), connectivity initiatives, and a zero-tolerance policy against anti-India insurgent groups. The BNP, historically, has had a more complex relationship with India.
- Land Boundary Agreement: Ratified 2015 (resolved 68-year-old border disputes, exchanged 162 enclaves)
- Ganga Water Treaty: Signed 1996 (30-year agreement on sharing Ganges waters at Farakka)
- Teesta Water Dispute: Unresolved since 1983; 2011 deal blocked by West Bengal
- Shared border: 4,096 km (India's longest international border)
- Bilateral trade: Over $16 billion (India is Bangladesh's largest trade partner in South Asia)
Connection to this news: The BNP's return to power after 20 years signals a potential recalibration of India-Bangladesh ties, with India's diplomatic gesture of sending a senior delegation reflecting its intent to engage constructively despite historical strains with the BNP.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Political Transition
The BNP was founded in 1978 by General Ziaur Rahman (Tarique Rahman's father, assassinated in 1981). The party emphasizes Bangladeshi nationalism and has traditionally maintained closer ties with China, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan compared to the Awami League. Tarique Rahman, 60, returned to Bangladesh on December 25, 2025, after nearly 17 years of exile in the United Kingdom. Sheikh Hasina, ousted in August 2024, remains in exile in India.
- BNP founded: 1978 by President Ziaur Rahman
- BNP's previous terms in power: 1991-1996 and 2001-2006 under Khaleda Zia
- 13th National Parliamentary Elections (2026): BNP won 209 seats; Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance won 68 seats
- Tarique Rahman: In exile in UK from 2008 to December 2025
Connection to this news: The transition from the Hasina era to a BNP government under Tarique Rahman represents a significant geopolitical shift in South Asia, with implications for India's neighborhood-first policy and the balance of influence between India and China in Bangladesh.
India's Neighborhood First Policy
India's Neighborhood First Policy, articulated since 2014, prioritizes diplomatic, economic, and security engagement with immediate neighbors. The policy encompasses initiatives such as BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) Motor Vehicles Agreement (2015), SAARC Satellite (2017), and bilateral development assistance. India provides significant development credit to Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives through Lines of Credit.
- Neighborhood First Policy: Articulated 2014 onwards
- BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement: Signed June 2015
- India's development credit to Bangladesh: Over $8 billion in Lines of Credit since 2010
- SAARC: Founded 1985, HQ Kathmandu; 8 member states
Connection to this news: India's decision to send its Foreign Secretary to the swearing-in ceremony, rather than declining outright, reflects the pragmatism inherent in the Neighborhood First Policy, maintaining diplomatic engagement despite political transitions in neighboring countries.
Key Facts & Data
- Bangladesh elections 2026: BNP won 209 of 297 seats (two-thirds majority)
- 13 countries invited to swearing-in ceremony on February 17
- India-Bangladesh shared border: 4,096 km (India's longest)
- Tarique Rahman: In UK exile for nearly 17 years before returning December 2025
- Sheikh Hasina: In exile in India since August 2024
- India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra to represent India at the ceremony