‘Bangladesh first’: BNP chief Tarique Rahman says Dhaka’s foreign policy prioritises national interest, people’s welfare | World News

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) held a press conference on Saturday after its landslide victory in the 13th National Parliament Elections, and party president Tarique Rahman emphasized that Bangladesh’s foreign policy will prioritize the country’s interests, saying “people come first”, including relations with India.

Speaking at the post-election press conference in the ballroom of the Hotel Intercontinental in the capital, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman emphasized that Bangladesh’s foreign policy prioritizes national interests and the welfare of the people.

In response to a question on the party’s diplomatic priorities, Rahman said, “We have made ourselves clear on the foreign policy that is in the interest of Bangladesh and the interests of the people of Bangladesh come first. We will decide our foreign policy by protecting the interests of Bangladesh and the people of Bangladesh.” he said.

Rahman’s “Bangladesh First” policy aims to balance ties with regional powers such as India, China and Pakistan, while also addressing domestic challenges, including economic pressures and governance.

The press conference attended by journalists from various countries was asked how the BNP government would approach international relations after the election victory.

Elaborating on the party’s diplomatic framework, senior BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the party remains committed to multilateralism and does not follow a country-centric approach.

“Bangladesh Nationalist Party follows the principle of multilateralism. We do not have a country-centric policy. Our policy is valid worldwide and is based on mutual respect, mutual benefit, non-intervention and strategic autonomy. These are the fundamentals of Bangladesh’s foreign policy for Bangladesh and are valid for all countries in the world,” he said.

The BNP leadership stated that preserving sovereignty, ensuring strategic autonomy and promoting mutual respect in international partnerships will shape Bangladesh’s foreign relations during its tenure.

Meanwhile, India has expressed its desire to strengthen ties with the BNP-led government; Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rahman on his victory and affirmed India’s support for a democratic Bangladesh.

In a post on “I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relationships and advance our common development goals.”

Prime Minister Modi also met Rahman and reiterated India’s determination to close bilateral relations. In a post on

“I extended my best wishes and support in the effort to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh,” he added. BNP, on the other hand, thanked India for recognizing the election decision and expressed its hope that relations would strengthen under the new government.

Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh marks a significant shift in Dhaka politics. After 17 years in exile, the 60-year-old leader is set to become the next prime minister following the landslide victory of his BNP party.

His leadership is expected to recalibrate India-Bangladesh relations, which grew closer during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure but remained strained after her ouster. Rahman signaled a pragmatic approach in relations with India, emphasizing “mutual respect and understanding”.

Key issues expected to shape bilateral relations include border security, allegations of illegal immigration and concerns about rebel groups operating on Bangladeshi territory; Transboundary rivers like Teesta and Padma that share water; security of minorities, especially the protection of Hindus and other minorities after recent attacks; and economic cooperation, increased trade and investment potential.

In his first statement following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) decisive victory in the parliamentary elections, BNP chief Tarique Rahman called for national harmony, framing the result as a renewed mandate for democratic values.

Addressing the nation after the results were announced, Rahman called for reconciliation across political divides. Underlining the need for a collective purpose, he said, “Our paths and ideas may differ, but we must remain united for the benefit of the country.” he said.

Emphasizing the broader significance of unity, he added, “I firmly believe that national unity is a collective strength, while division is a weakness,” linking his message directly to the responsibilities facing the country after the polls.

His call came as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party recorded a sweeping performance in Thursday’s elections, the first national vote since the violent 2024 uprising that led to the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Figures released by the Election Commission showed that the BNP-led alliance won 212 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led bloc won 77 seats, reflecting the size of the mandate. Hasina’s Bangladesh Awami League was banned from participating in the elections.

In this context, Rahman began his speech by thanking his supporters and describing the decision as an approval of democratic aspirations. “The liberal, pro-democratic people of the country once again brought victory to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” he said.

He also linked the election outcome to what he described as a collective struggle for democratic restoration, saying, “This victory belongs to Bangladesh, it belongs to democracy, this victory belongs to the people who aspire for democracy and sacrifice for it.”

The result represents a remarkable political resurgence for the 60-year-old leader, who returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in exile in Britain and re-entered national politics at a critical time.

Rahman is the son of former president Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981, and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, a three-time holder of office and a long-standing presence in Bangladesh’s political scene.