Dhaka: The BNP won a landslide victory in the February 12 parliamentary elections, ending the tenure of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.Prime Minister Modi was invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Tariq Rehman in Dhaka but was unable to attend as he was in Mumbai for a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, which was decided weeks in advance. “Your victory is a testament to the trust and confidence that the people of Bangladesh have in your leadership and in your vision to lead the country on the path of peace, stability and prosperity,” Modi said while inviting the new prime minister, his wife Zubaidaur Rahman and daughter Zaima “to visit India at a mutually convenient time.”He said that as two close neighbors, India and Bangladesh share a deep-rooted friendship based on their shared history, cultural ties and the desire of the two peoples for peace and prosperity. The strong alignment of our respective development priorities should be the guiding principle for our future cooperation. “Tariq (60), the first male Prime Minister of Bangladesh in 35 years, was sworn in by President Mohammad Shahabuddin at the Jatiya Sangsad, Bangladesh’s unicameral legislative body, rather than at Bangabhaban, the presidential residence, in a departure from long-standing tradition in the presence of several foreign dignitaries, including Birla, who was accompanied by Foreign Minister Vikram Misri.Modi was the first global leader to call Tariq to congratulate him, writing: “I look forward to working closely with you (Prime Minister Tariq) to strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations, enhance regional cooperation and advance our common goals in a wide range of areas including connectivity, trade, technology, education, skills development, energy, healthcare and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.“As two fast-growing economies and aspirational societies, India and Bangladesh can truly be catalysts for each other’s sustainable growth, work for each other’s security, and achieve mutual prosperity,” Prime Minister Modi said in the letter.On the 10th, Speaker Om Birla called on Tariq after the ceremony. He said: “India stands ready to support Bangladesh’s efforts to build a democratic, progressive and inclusive country.”The Prime Minister of Bangladesh conveyed his greetings to Prime Minister Modi and Speaker Birla. Riaz Hamidullah, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, said: “Both leaders expressed optimism in working together for the welfare of the people of Bangladesh and India and pursuing people-centered cooperation.”
