New Delhi: In a letter, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Bangladesh’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister Tariq Rahman on his electoral victory and appointment, saying India and Bangladesh can “work for each other’s security and achieve mutual prosperity”.The Prime Minister also invited Rahman to visit India.In a personal letter handed over by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in Dhaka, Prime Minister Modi said: “I extend my warmest congratulations on the victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in the just-concluded parliamentary elections in Bangladesh and on your appointment as the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh. I wish you all the best in the noble responsibilities of assuming this office.”Prime Minister Modi described Rahman’s victory as a demonstration of public trust, writing: “Your victory is a testament to the trust and confidence of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership and their vision to lead the country on the path of peace, stability and prosperity.”
The Prime Minister went on to highlight the historical and cultural ties between the two neighbours, saying India and Bangladesh share a “deep-rooted friendship built on shared history, cultural ties and the desire of both peoples for peace and prosperity”. Alignment of development priorities will guide future cooperation, he added.“I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations, strengthen regional cooperation and advance our shared goals in a wide range of areas including connectivity, trade, technology, education, skills development, energy, healthcare and cultural and people-to-people exchanges,” the Prime Minister wrote.“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,” he said.Prime Minister Modi also invited Rehman, his wife Dr Zubaida Rehman and daughter Zaima to visit India “at a mutually convenient time”, adding that “India warmly welcomes you”.Birla attended the swearing-in ceremony of Rahman on Tuesday, accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on behalf of the Indian government, and later met him and handed over the letter.Rehman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, was sworn in as prime minister after winning 209 out of 297 seats in the February 12 parliamentary election. He succeeds interim government chief executive Muhammad Yunus, who took office after the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in August 2024.Earlier, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government Yunus invited Prime Minister Modi to attend Rahman’s swearing-in. However, the prime minister declined the invitation citing French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Mumbai and the Artificial Intelligence Summit in Delhi this week.
