‘PM Modi should be invited’: BNP’s diplomatic tone ahead of Tariq Rahman’s swearing-in

A senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party said on Saturday that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairman Tariq Rehman, who won a landslide victory in the general election and is preparing to take office as Bangladesh’s next prime minister, should be invited to Dhaka.BNP leader ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milan expressed hope to invite South Asian leaders, including Prime Minister Modi, to attend the swearing-in ceremony. “I don’t know what exactly they are doing but hopefully they will invite everyone. I don’t know the specifics but he (Prime Minister Modi) should be invited. It is common courtesy. The organizers will do that. I hope the whole world is with us,” he told reporters in Dhaka after the party’s victory.“Milan stressed the party’s broader foreign policy approach of being “a friend to all and bearing no ill will towards anyone.”His remarks came as the BNP received a decisive mandate in the 13th National Assembly elections on February 12 to form the next government. The election results mark the party’s return to power after nearly two decades, with Tariq Rahman set to become prime minister, in line with the party’s earlier statements.According to the Election Commission, results for 297 seats have been declared so far. BNP candidates won 209 seats, while the party also leads in two constituencies where elections are currently suspended.BNP allies secured an additional three seats, bringing the total number of BNP-led coalition seats to 212. In comparison, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh won 68 seats, while its allies in the 11-party alliance bagged nine more seats, taking its total to 77 seats. Protom Alo said the Electoral Commission had issued official gazette notifications for the elected members.Currently, preparations for the formation of a new government are underway. The new cabinet is expected to be sworn in within the next three to four days and cabinet departments will finalize all necessary arrangements.As stipulated in the constitution, the oath-taking ceremony will be held at Bangaban and presided over by President Mohammad Shahabuddin.“We hope that the swearing-in ceremony will take place within the next three days or at most four days,” Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdul Rashid said, adding that preparations had been completed and the ceremony could be held earlier if needed.Officials said the ceremony will host about 1,000 guests.These developments come against the backdrop of aggressive diplomatic efforts by New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Tariq Rahman on his electoral victory and reiterated India’s commitment to strong bilateral ties.Prime Minister Modi said in a post on“