PM Modi Macron Meeting: Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is set to be sworn in as Prime Minister on the evening of February 17 in Dhaka, marking a significant political transition in Bangladesh. Preparations for the oath-taking ceremony and the formation of the new cabinet are reportedly in full swing, with senior party leaders and administrative officials coordinating arrangements for what is expected to be a high-profile event.
In a notable diplomatic gesture, invitations have been extended to leaders from 13 countries, including India, underscoring the regional and international importance of the occasion. Among those invited is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reflecting Bangladesh’s intent to maintain strong engagement with its neighbors and key global partners.
However, reports indicate that Prime Minister Modi already has a prior commitment on the same day—a scheduled bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai. Given this scheduling conflict, it appears unlikely that he will travel to Dhaka for the ceremony. Instead, India is expected to be represented by a senior government official or a high-ranking diplomatic representative, ensuring that New Delhi’s presence and support are formally conveyed at the swearing-in event.
The ceremony is expected to be closely watched across South Asia, as it may signal the direction of Bangladesh’s domestic policies and its foreign relations, particularly with India and other key regional stakeholders.
PM Modi Macron Meeting: Prime Minister Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman
After the BNP’s electoral victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Tarique Rahman over the phone to congratulate him on his success. During the conversation, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s support for a democratic, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh. He emphasized that India and Bangladesh share deep historical and cultural ties as close neighbors, and reiterated India’s commitment to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity for the people of both nations.
I convey my warm congratulations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.
This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership.
India will continue to stand in support of a democratic,…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2026
Bangladesh PM Oath: 13 countries including India invited
Mohammad Yunus, chief advisor to the interim government, has invited 13 countries, including India. These include India, China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives, and Bhutan. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is expected to attend the event.
Will PM Modi attend the swearing-in ceremony?
However, India has not yet officially confirmed an invitation. There is also no decision yet on whether Prime Minister Modi will attend the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka. Both countries are striving to reinvigorate bilateral relations.
Tarique Rahman: Bumper victory for BNP
Tarique Rahman’s party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), staged a decisive comeback in the elections, securing 209 out of 297 seats. Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, while Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, was unable to participate in the polls. Rahman’s return marks a significant moment in Bangladeshi politics, coming after 17 years in London.
Following the victory, Rahman said that safeguarding Bangladesh’s national interests would be the guiding principle of his foreign policy. He emphasized the need to maintain balanced and pragmatic relations with India, China, and Pakistan. At the same time, the BNP expressed its desire to pursue a “constructive dialogue” with India, signaling an openness to resetting bilateral ties.
India France Bilateral Ties: Modi-Macron meeting on February 17
The meeting between Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on February 17 is expected to underscore India’s Europe outreach and its deepening strategic partnership with France. Discussions are likely to focus on key areas such as defence collaboration, Indo-Pacific strategy, and advanced technology cooperation. In this context, giving precedence to the Mumbai meeting despite the invitation from Dhaka is being viewed as a reflection of India’s nuanced and multi-layered diplomatic approach.
