Bangladesh’s new government swears-in on February 17, PM Modi gets invite

After a tumultuous period post the ouster of the former PM Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will have a newly elected government in Dhaka. The government under Prime Minister-designate Tarique Rahman will take oath on February 17.According to various reports, the interim transitional government under Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has invited Indian PM Narendra Modi, along with 13 other nations, in what is being seen as a major diplomatic outreach.

This is a pertinent development as India and Bangladesh have had frosty ties since the removal of Sheikh Hasina from power.
In addition to India, other nations that have received invitations include China and Asian nations such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, and Bhutan. Furthermore, the invitation has also been extended to key nations in the Muslim world, including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, and Brunei.Also Read: Missing Indian student Saketh Sreenivasaiah found dead in US, consulate confirms

It is to be noted that there is no official confirmation from PM Modi’s office on the reported invitation.

After the ouster of former PM Hasina and a chaotic period that ensued post the ouster, Bangladesh held its general election on February 12, two years after the previous election in 2024, whose veracity of legitimacy was in question.

In these elections, the Centre-Right Bangladesh National Party or BNP came back to power in a landslide, winning 209 out of the 299 seats in the Bangladeshi parliament or Jatiya Sangsad.

The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the National Parliament complex’s South Plaza, parting ways with the tradition of holding the ceremony at the presidential palace.

The oath to the Prime Minister and his cabinet will be administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin.

Following this, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, would administer the oath of office to the newly elected parliament members.