Om Birla attends Tarique Rahman’s swearing-In, conveys PM Modi’s invitation to visit India | India News

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka, where he delivered Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal message and invitation.

Om Birla conveyed Prime Minister Modi’s congratulations after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) decisive victory in the recent parliamentary elections and formally invited Rahman to visit India at a mutually convenient time. In the Prime Minister’s letter, Rahman’s wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and her daughter Zaima were also invited to accompany him.

“I take this opportunity to invite you, along with Dr. Zubaida Rahman and your daughter Zaima, to visit India at a time convenient for both parties. A warm welcome awaits you in India. Please accept, Your Excellency, my best wishes for your health and success and the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh,” PM Modi said.

Congratulating Rahman on both his party’s election victory and his inauguration, Modi said, “I wish you success as you assume the high responsibilities of this office. Your victory is a testament to the trust and confidence of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership and their mandate towards your vision of taking the country forward on the path of peace, stability and prosperity.”

Underlining the close ties between the two neighbours, the Prime Minister added: “India and Bangladesh, two close neighbours, have a deep-rooted friendship based on shared history, cultural ties and the aspirations of our peoples for peace and prosperity. The strong convergence between our respective development priorities will serve as a guiding principle for our future cooperation.”

He also highlighted the scope for enhanced cooperation in connectivity, trade, technology, education, skills development, energy, health and cultural exchanges. “As two fast-growing economies and promising societies, India and Bangladesh can truly be catalysts for each other’s sustainable growth, work for each other’s security and ensure mutual prosperity,” the letter said.

Rahman was sworn in by President Muhammad Shahabuddin at around 4.15pm at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building in Dhaka. The ceremony marked the BNP’s return to power nearly two decades after its landslide victory in the February 12 general election, in which the party-led alliance won 212 of the 300 seats in parliament.

Rahman’s appointment comes nearly two years after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned amid mass protests. Hasina is currently in exile in India.

India’s representation at the high-profile ceremony underlined the regional significance of the political transition in Dhaka and New Delhi’s intention to maintain a close relationship with the new government.

(with ANI entries)