Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which achieved a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections held in Bangladesh on Tuesday (February 17, 2026), and BNP Chief Tariq Rahman on becoming the newly elected Prime Minister. He said that as two close neighbours, India and Bangladesh enjoy a deep friendship, based on shared history, cultural ties and the aspirations of our people for peace and prosperity.

He said that strong coordination between our respective development priorities will serve as a guiding principle for our future cooperation.

PM Modi expressed desire to meet Tariq Rehman

Expressing his desire to meet Bangladeshi PM Tariq Rahman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our diverse bilateral relationships, enhance regional cooperation and advance our common goals in broad areas such as connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare as well as cultural and people-to-people contacts.

He said that as two fast-growing economies and emerging societies, India and Bangladesh can truly become catalysts for each other’s continued development, work for each other’s security and enable mutual prosperity.

Om Birla represented India at Tariq Rehman’s swearing in.

It is noteworthy that Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Tariq Rahman has taken oath as the newly elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh today at 10 am on Tuesday (February 17, 2026). At the swearing-in ceremony, Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to Tariq Rahman as Prime Minister.

At the same time, India was represented at the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh by Lok Sabha Speaker and senior BJP leader Om Birla. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Tariq Rehman and congratulated him on behalf of the whole of India along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The political atmosphere in Bangladesh has become heated after the results of the general elections held on 12 February. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) got a big victory in this election, while radical Islamic party Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh secured second place by winning a record 68 seats. The head of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, had described the elections as free and fair, but now serious questions are being raised on it.

The latest report of anti-corruption organization Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has claimed that some kind of irregularity was seen in about 40 percent of parliamentary seats. According to the report, candidates themselves lodged complaints of irregularities on 28.6 percent seats. This makes it clear that the allegations are not merely conjecture, but have been made directly by the election participants.

Questions raised on the role of Election Commission

The most serious allegations in the TIB report have been made regarding the functioning of the Election Commission. It has been said that such organizations and individuals, who have links with political parties, were recognized as election observers. This has raised doubts about the fairness of the election process. The report also mentions that an experienced institution did not get registration as an observer despite applying multiple times, while two institutions associated with advisors to the interim government were approved. Such decisions have increased concerns about transparency.

Criticism over payments to foreign observers

The report also said that the Election Commission paid foreign observers. Critics argue that taking payments from the same institution that is supposed to be monitored creates a conflict of interest. This may raise questions on electoral legitimacy.

Displeasure of political parties and questions on affidavits

Various political parties of Bangladesh have also expressed dissatisfaction regarding the allocation of election symbols. TIB has also raised questions on the scrutiny process of the affidavits filed by the candidates. The report asked whether the sources of income and assets of the candidates were properly verified and whether they were legally acquired. After these allegations came to light, the debate regarding fairness of elections in Bangladesh has intensified. Although the government has not yet given a detailed response to the report, opposition parties are calling it a serious challenge to the democratic process.

Tarique Rahman Oath Ceremony: Bangladesh registered a significant and emphatic victory in the general elections held on February 12. After this, Nationalist Party (BNP) President Tariq Rahman, who is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, will take oath as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday. This time, in a departure from tradition, the swearing-in ceremony of 60-year-old Tariq Rehman has been organized in the South Plaza of the Parliament complex instead of Raj Bhawan (Bang Bhawan).

Know complete information about oath taking

According to BSS News Agency, President Mohammad Shahbuddin will administer oath to the new cabinet members at the South Plaza of Jatia Sangsad Complex on Tuesday afternoon. Parliament Secretariat Secretary Kaneez Maula said that at 10:00 am, the members of Parliament will first be sworn in at South Plaza. After that, the parliamentary party meeting of BNP will be held at Parliament House at 11:30 am, in which the leader of the parliamentary party will be elected. BNP standing committee member Salah Uddin Ahmed said, “As the leader of the majority party, our party president Tariq Rehman will be the prime minister.”

Who will attend the swearing-in ceremony?

From the Indian side, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tariq Rahman at the swearing-in ceremony.
It is being told that Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishra and Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh can also attend the function along with Om Birla. Apart from this, Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu, Türkiye’s Under Secretary Baris Ekinci and Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa will also attend the ceremony.

bangladesh general election results

The 13th general elections in Bangladesh were held on February 12, amid political crisis and unstable security situation. This period came when the student-led movement toppled the 15-year-long government of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. After that there were incidents of attacks on minorities in the country. Hasina’s party Awami League was not allowed to contest in this election, while voter turnout was recorded at 59.44 percent. According to the Bangladesh Election Commission, the BNP won 209 out of 297 seats, while the right-wing Jamaat‑e‑Islami won 68 seats.

Tariq Rehman also visited rivals’ houses

After BNP’s victory, Tariq Rehman also visited the houses of his political rivals and congratulated them. This includes Jamaat‑e‑Islami chief Shafiqur Rehman and National Citizen Party (NCP) convenor Naheed Islam. They had a cordial conversation there too and wished each other well.

Tariq Rehman will be Prime Minister for the first time

This is like becoming Prime Minister for the first time for Tariq Rehman. He will also become the first male Prime Minister of the country since 1991. Tariq Rahman will replace the current interim government chief Muhammad Yunus, during whose tenure relations between Dhaka and New Delhi were strained.

Tariq Rahman: The recent elections in Bangladesh have paved the way for Tariq Rahman and his party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to return to power in the country after 20 years. The elections held on February 12 ended a 19-month political vacuum in Dhaka following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government following a student-led protest in 2024. With Tariq Rehman likely to take oath next week, all eyes are on what further steps Dhaka takes regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her exile in India.

BNP’s winning message and emphasis on democracy

After BNP got two-thirds majority in the general elections, Tariq Rehman’s party has given mixed signals regarding bilateral relations with India and Hasina’s extradition process. In his address the day after Friday’s victory, Tariq Rehman gave a message of unity and emphasized on democratic values. He said Bangladesh is about to embark on a new journey, ‘amid a weak economy that was left behind by an autocratic regime.’ He said, ‘This victory is of Bangladesh. This is the victory of democracy. This victory belongs to those who sacrificed for democracy. From today we are all free, the feeling of real freedom and rights has returned.

BNP’s stance on India-Bangladesh relations

When he was asked a question on India-Bangladesh relations, Tariq Rahman emphasized on the Bangladesh first policy. He said, ‘The interests of Bangladesh and its people will decide our foreign policy.’ He had earlier also said that the BNP government will maintain balanced relations with neighboring countries like India, China and Pakistan and will not consider anyone as its master.

Hasina’s extradition issue

On the day of Tariq Rehman’s victory, senior BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed again reiterated the demand for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition from India. Hasina has been living in India since August 5, 2024, when she had to resign from Bangladesh under pressure from the student movement. In November 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICT) of Bangladesh convicted him of crimes against humanity related to the crackdown on the 2024 protests and sentenced him to death. Dhaka has demanded India to extradite Hasina to Bangladesh.

Salahuddin said, ‘We always demand his extradition as per the law. This is a matter between the foreign ministries of the two countries. We have requested the Indian government to send him back so that he can face trial in Bangladesh. Tariq Rehman also said on the issue of Hasina that the extradition of the former Prime Minister depends on the legal process.

For the first time after the bumper victory in Bangladesh elections, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chief Tariq Rahman expressed gratitude to the countrymen. He called it a victory for the country, democracy and the hopes of the people. After the victory of BNP, the discussion has intensified about how their relations will be with the countries of West Asia and especially with India. Tariq Rahman said that his party will follow a foreign policy that protects the interests of Bangladesh in its relations with China, India and Pakistan.

What did Tariq Rehman say about Sheikh Hasina’s extradition?

Tariq Rahman said that Bangladesh’s foreign policy will be decided by the interests of its people. When asked whether BNP would demand Sheikh Hasina’s extradition from India, he said, ‘It depends on the legal process.’

He said, ‘We have many challenges before us. Our economy is facing challenges and the law and order situation of the country is worrying. We have to ensure public safety. The previous government had politicized almost all the institutions, so we have to ensure good governance. He said that we will bring new investments in Bangladesh, which will create employment opportunities.

Tariq Rehman’s reaction on relations with China

On Bangladesh’s relations with China and the Belt and Road Initiative, Tariq said, ‘We will protect the interests of the people of Bangladesh. If something is not in the interest of Bangladesh then naturally we will not go along with it. I am confident that mutual interest will be our top priority. If the Belt and Road Initiative benefits Bangladesh and supports the economy, then we will take a decision.

Regarding South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), he said, ‘It was established on the initiative of Bangladesh. We want it to work. We will discuss with our friendly countries and try to revive SAARC.

Our government will fix law and order: Tariq Rehman

Tariq Rahman said, ‘This victory is of Bangladesh, of democracy and of the hopes of the people. I congratulate the people of Bangladesh for overcoming the obstacles in establishing democracy. He further said, ‘The fascist government’s disregard for the Constitution and democratic principles has resulted in failure. Our government will now make law and order in the entire country.

In Bangladesh elections, Tariq Rahman’s party BNP won 209 out of 297 seats, while the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami, considered close to Pakistan, got 68 seats. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami President Amir Shafiqur Rahman has announced that his party will accept the results of the 13th national parliamentary election and will work as a responsible opposition party.

Efforts of workers did not go in vain: Shafiqur Rahman

Shafiqur Rehman posted on Facebook on Saturday (14 February 2026) that his party has always been committed to a stable and effective democratic system and is firm on that position. He said that we accept the results of the elections and respect the rule of law. He told the party leaders and workers that even though some people were feeling disappointed, their efforts had not gone in vain as the party had won 77 seats.

Not a shock, but a foundation: Shafiqur Rahman

According to Shafiqur Rahman, now the presence of his party in the Parliament of Bangladesh has increased almost four times, due to which Jamaat-e-Islami has become a strong opposition force. He said, ‘The election result is not a shock, but a foundation. The real test of party leadership lies not only in the election campaign but also in the way it accepts the public’s decision. Shafiqur Rahman said that his movement is not about any one election, but about strengthening democracy, protecting the rights of citizens and building Bangladesh.

Jamaat-e-Islami made allegations of rigging in elections

Radical party Jamaat-e-Islami alleged that the results were rigged in some constituencies. Jamaat Chief Shafiqur Rehman claimed that since Friday (13 February 2026) night, there have been attacks on the houses of leaders and workers of the Jamaat-led 11 party election alliance in many parts of the country. According to the report of Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo, he said, ‘If the election results come normally then usually there is no major objection. Generally everyone accepts it. If there is any major discrimination or irregularities then it naturally raises questions.

After the bumper victory in Bangladesh elections, BNP President Tariq Rahman appealed to the people of the country to maintain unity. Tariq Rehman dedicated the party’s victory to those who sacrificed for democracy. Addressing the people of the country on Saturday (14 February 2026), BNP Chief said, ‘This victory is of Bangladesh. This is the victory of democracy. This victory belongs to those who had hope for democracy and sacrificed for it. From today we are all free and now the real meaning of rights has been restored.

We have to stay united: Tariq Rehman

Tariq Rahman told the people of Bangladesh, ‘With your spontaneous participation, after more than one and a half decade, the Parliament and the government are being re-established in the country through direct voting. We have to remain united so that no evil force can re-establish dictatorship in the country and the nation does not remain under anyone. I congratulate the people of Bangladesh. Overcoming all obstacles, you have established democracy in the country.

‘Injustice cannot be done to anyone’

According to the Dhaka Tribune report, he said, ‘We need everyone’s cooperation to build a secure Bangladesh. This time everyone will have to work responsibly in the reconstruction of the country. Injustice cannot be done to anyone under any pretext. Law and order will have to be maintained at all costs.

New government will be sworn in soon in Bangladesh

Shafikul Alam, press secretary of Muhammad Yunus, chief advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh, has said that the swearing in of the new government will take place very soon. This means that it should be considered certain that Bangladesh will not have to wait more than three days for its new government. Tariq Rahman, who was in self-exile in London for 17 years, has emerged as the new face of Bangladesh in the general elections as BNP returned to power after a gap of 20 years by securing majority.

Tariq Rehman’s political career was full of ups and downs

Tariq Rehman was sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with the grenade attack on Sheikh Hasina’s rally in 2004. 24 people were killed and dozens were injured in this attack. Rahman has always denied these allegations, calling them politically motivated. He was acquitted in all cases during the interim rule of Mohammad Yunus after Hasina was ousted from power. When Khaleda Zia was sent to jail on corruption charges in 2018, Tariq Rehman was named the acting president of the party. After his death, he became the chairman.

General elections have been completed in Bangladesh. Tariq Rahman’s BNP is going to form the government with two-thirds majority. Khaleda Zia’s son Tariq Rahman will be the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh. For the first time, such elections were held in Bangladesh in which Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League was banned from participating. Awami League was not involved in the 2026 Bangladesh elections. Without Awami League, the Bangladesh elections saw a direct contest between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

BNP gets majority in Bangladesh elections

In the absence of Awami League, BNP won more than 200 seats and Jamaat-e-Islami emerged as the largest opposition party with 74 seats. The entry of student movement party NCP was poor, SNP had to be content with only 6 seats. However, now that a new government is being formed in Bangladesh, what will happen to Awami League? This is a question whose answer the whole world wants to know. The question is also whether Awami League will be able to contest elections in Bangladesh in future and will Sheikh Hasina ever again be seen in the same strong role in Bangladesh politics as before? ABP News took the opinion of the common people of Bangladesh regarding this question.

Why are people angry at Sheikh Hasina?

The anger against Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh has been reduced through votes in this election. One of the major complaints of Sheikh Hasina’s opponents was that they were not able to cast their votes in the last elections. Voters of Bangladesh cast their votes in the elections of 2026. Many citizens believe that Awami League should be allowed to take part in the country’s politics. Some people said that now the elections are over and a new government is going to be formed. After the formation of this government, Awami League should also get an opportunity for active politics.

Will Awami League be able to make a comeback in Bangladesh politics?

Many supporters of Tariq Rahman showed their anger against Sheikh Hasina, but during the same conversation the youth also said that Awami League can do politics in Bangladesh. The youth said, ‘Sheikh Hasina’s son and daughter can be the face of Awami League politics, we have no objection to them. The people of Bangladesh will further decide which party should form the government in the country, but now Awami League can start its work here politically.

Who did the Awami League supporters vote for?

There is one more thing worth noting in the politics of Bangladesh. The people of Bangladesh are addicted to BNP and Awami League. If seen in a way, the influence of both these parties will always remain in Bangladesh, whether sometimes less or sometimes more. BNP has directly benefited due to the electoral ban of Awami League. The supporters of Awami League who till now used to vote for Sheikh Hasina, were forced to go with BNP because the supporters of Awami League do not want to allow the pro-Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islam to come to power in Bangladesh at any cost. The number of Awami League supporters in Bangladesh is also very good, they are just sitting quietly waiting for their time in the new political equation.

Jamaat-e-Islami a challenge to the stability of Bangladesh

After the political rise of Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh elections 2026, political stability in Bangladesh may prove to be a big challenge. The extreme views of Jamaat-e-Islami are not liked by the supporters of both BNP and Awami League. The youth here distanced themselves from the Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP alliance and went with the BNP.

In the changed equation in Bangladesh, the return of Awami League will not be very easy, but it is not impossible at all. Even today Awami League has a big vote bank and a strong cadre. If the electoral ban on Awami League is lifted in Bangladesh in the coming days, then political rivalry between BNP vs Awami League may once again be seen in the country.

Bangladesh Politics: This time there has been a big and shocking turn in the politics of Bangladesh. After the general elections, three such leaders have suddenly become lucky, who till some time back were facing serious charges and some of whom had even received death sentence. Among these, two leaders are from Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which is led by Tariq Rahman, and one leader is associated with Jamaat-e-Islami.

These three leaders were involved in big matters at the time when Sheikh Hasina left the country and went to India. After this, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus returned and took over the power of Bangladesh. After his arrival, all the cases pending against these three leaders were closed.

Who are these three leaders?

The first two leaders are Lutfozzaman Babar and Abdus Salam Pintu, who are from Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The third leader is ATM Azharul Islam, who is associated with Jamaat-e-Islami. Now all three are going to be part of the new Parliament. This is the same Bangladesh, whose relations with India have been tense for some time.

In December 2024, a Bangladesh court acquitted Tariq Rahman, Lutfozzaman Babar and some others in cases related to the grenade attack of 21 August 2004. This attack was targeted at Sheikh Hasina. She was saved, but 24 people lost their lives in this attack. In this election, Lutfozzaman Babar defeated his nearest rival by about one lakh sixty thousand votes.

Pintu is a name of concern for India

India is said to be more concerned about Babar’s companion Abdus Salam Pintu. About a year after Babar’s acquittal, Pintu also got relief and the charges against him were dropped. Pintu was accused of supporting a terrorist organization of Pakistan, which is accused of many attacks in India. These include the blast in Varanasi court complex, blast in Ajmer Sharif Dargah and blasts in Delhi. This time Pintu has won by about two lakh votes.

story of azhar ul islam

The third “lucky” leader is Azhar ul Islam, an old leader of Jamaat. He has been in politics since 1998 and was also the General Secretary of the organization till 2012. He was accused of being responsible for the death of more than twelve hundred people during the liberation war of 1971. Apart from this, thirteen rape cases were also registered against him. In all these cases, he was sentenced to death in 2014, but later during the Yunus regime, he was pardoned and acquitted of all charges. The names of these three leaders were once associated with the death penalty, but now in a few days, when Tariq Rahman will take oath, all three of them will sit in the Parliament of Bangladesh.

Delhi’s vision and future politics

From New Delhi’s perspective, this election result shows a completely different path from the era of the Yunus-led interim government. According to Indian officials, that time was full of turmoil. Now everyone’s eyes are on Tariq Rehman. Indian officials are expressing “cautious optimism” about them. He believes that even though there may have been differences with his party’s governments earlier, now Tariq Rehman can adopt a more practical policy considering the economic needs of the country and the peace of the region.

Tariq Rahman: In the results of the general elections held in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Tariq Rahman has got a big victory. This election is the first after the violence of July 2024, which ended the long rule of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and she had to leave the country. Now everyone’s eyes are on whether the new government will move closer to India or lean towards Pakistan and China.

Tariq Rehman’s comeback story

60 year old Tariq Rehman comes from a big political family. He is the son of former President Ziaur Rehman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. He left the country in 2017 following allegations of corruption and money laundering and remained in exile for nearly 17 years. He returned after his mother’s death in December 2025. A huge crowd welcomed his return. On the lines of the famous speech of American leader Martin Luther King Jr., he said from the stage, ‘I have a plan for Bangladesh’ and with this he started his election campaign.

India’s first step
On Friday morning, India took the initiative to congratulate the new leader. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tariq Rahman and his party on the victory and said that India wants a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. The message was simple, but its meaning was clear, India wants stable relations, leaving behind the turmoil of the last 18 months, growing closeness to China and Pakistan and attacks on minorities.

Why is India closely monitoring
This election is very important for India because which direction the new government takes can affect the politics and security of the entire South Asia. India is keeping its eyes on three things – first, whether a new alliance of Pakistan-China-Bangladesh should be formed. Second, border and internal security, especially illegal infiltration and tensions after Sheikh Hasina. Third, trade, although India has an advantage in this because it has a surplus of about 10 billion dollars and it supplies a large amount of raw cotton to the textile industry of Bangladesh.

Circumstances were different during Hasina’s era

During Hasina’s time, relations between Delhi and Dhaka were considered stable. Her party Awami League is out of this election and death penalty case is also pending against Hasina. His government worked with India on issues like trade, traffic, border security and water sharing. India definitely wanted him to remain in power, but now the reality has changed. Tariq Rahman himself has said that he will respect India’s interests, which marks a slight departure from his mother’s “Bangladesh First” policy. At present Delhi is on a wait and see policy.

Relief for India without Jamaat
A good news for India is that the fundamentalist organization Jamaat-e-Islami is not going to become a partner in the government this time. If this had happened, there could have been more tension in the relations and there would have been a danger of increasing trouble in North-East India through Pakistan.

Concern over Pak-China link
India fears that if Dhaka gets too close to Pakistan, the security of North-East India may be affected. China can also benefit from this, which has been claiming Arunachal Pradesh. China’s presence is already visible, especially in big projects like the modernization of Mongla Port. These projects may be in the name of business, but experts believe that China can also make them suitable for military use in future. Such examples already exist in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and this increases India’s concern.

What next?
Due to Jamaat’s stay outside, it is believed that Tariq Rehman’s government will not adopt a very confrontational path with India, although relations may be more transactional than friendship. That means it will take time for the picture to become clear, but it is certain that Dhaka’s direction will impact the politics of the entire region.