PM Modi hails ‘decisive mandate’ as Tarique Rahman steers BNP to historic win

In a strong diplomatic signal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13 congratulated Tarique Rahman for leading the Tarique Rahman-helmed Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to what he described as a “decisive victory” in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections — even before the country’s election authorities formally declared the final results.

With local media projections indicating that the BNP had comfortably crossed the halfway mark in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad, emerging trends pointed to a sweeping mandate in favour of Rahman’s leadership. Reports suggested the party was poised to secure more than 200 seats, cementing its return to power.

Taking to X, Modi wrote: “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.”

The Prime Minister underlined India’s continued commitment to its eastern neighbor, stating that New Delhi would “continue to stand in support of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh.” He added that he looked forward to working closely with Rahman to deepen bilateral ties and advance shared development priorities.

The congratulatory message — posted ahead of the official announcement by the Election Commission of Bangladesh — was widely viewed as a swift diplomatic outreach aimed at reinforcing continuity in India-Bangladesh relations amid a significant political transition in Dhaka.

India had earlier reached out to Rahman following the death of his mother and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had travelled to Dhaka in early January to personally convey condolences, signalling sustained engagement with the BNP leadership.

With the BNP poised to form the next government, attention will now turn to how the new political dispensation in Dhaka shapes regional equations — and how New Delhi and Dhaka recalibrate their multifaceted partnership in the months ahead.