New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Bangladesh government led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tariq Rehman in Dhaka on February 17. According to official sources, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will accompany him.BNP Paribas has invited the Prime Minister Narendra Modi The swearing-in ceremony was attended by leaders of more than a dozen other countries, including Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. However, there was never any question about the Prime Minister’s travel as the date and even the time of the swearing-in clashed with a bilateral meeting he had scheduled with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai weeks in advance.The Ministry of External Affairs said that Birla’s participation in this “important event” highlighted the deep and enduring friendship between the people of India and Bangladesh and reaffirmed India’s strong commitment to the democratic values ​​that sustain the two countries.“As neighbors united by shared history, culture and mutual respect, India welcomes Bangladesh’s transition to a democratically elected government under the leadership of Tariq Rahman, whose vision and values ​​enjoy the overwhelming support of the people,” the MEA said in a statement.Modi was one of the first global leaders to congratulate Rahman on Friday morning, shortly after it became clear that he would form the new government with an absolute majority. Modi said the result reflected the trust of the people of Bangladesh in Rahman’s leadership. Later that day, he also became the first foreign leader to speak to Rahman on the phone and express his willingness to cooperate with him in efforts to realize the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people.Importantly for India, BNP responded positively to Modi’s message, saying Bangladesh remains committed to democratic values, inclusiveness and progressive development for all its citizens.“We look forward to constructive engagement 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 the region,” the party said.
