Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent India at Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka on February 17, signaling strong India-Bangladesh diplomatic ties after BNP’s landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary election.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent the Government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s newly elected government in Dhaka on February 17. The announcement was made by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in an official statement on Thursday.
The ceremony follows a decisive electoral victory by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by its chairman Tarique Rahman, in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The BNP secured a commanding majority, marking a dramatic political shift in the neighboring country.
India Reaffirms Democratic Commitment
In its statement, the MEA emphasized that the Speaker’s participation highlights the “deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh” and reaffirms India’s unwavering commitment to democratic values shared by both nations.
“As neighbours united by shared history, culture, and mutual respect, India welcomes Bangladesh’s transition to an elected government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, whose vision and values have received an overwhelming mandate from the people,” the statement said.
Diplomatic observers view the decision to send the Lok Sabha Speaker as a calculated and symbolic move, reflecting both respect for Bangladesh’s democratic process and India’s interest in maintaining close bilateral cooperation.
Oath Ceremony at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban
The swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the national parliament complex in Dhaka. Members elected in Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary polls are scheduled to take their oath of office on Tuesday morning, February 17.
The oath will be administered by Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin. Preparations for the ceremony are already underway at the Jatiya Sangsad secretariat.
According to Secretary Kaniz Moula of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat, arrangements are being finalized for the oath-taking event, traditionally held in the designated oath room of the parliament building.
Multiple sources from the interim government’s chief advisor’s office, the law ministry, and the BNP confirmed the development to leading Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo.
BNP’s Landslide Victory
Polling for 299 of the 300 seats in the 13th parliamentary election was conducted on February 12. The Election Commission published the official gazette notification of the victorious candidates on Friday night.
Of the 297 constituencies for which unofficial results were declared, the BNP secured 209 seats. The party is also leading in two constituencies—Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4—where gazette notifications have been withheld following directives from the High Court. BNP allies have claimed three additional seats.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, while partners in the Jamaat-led 11-party electoral alliance secured nine seats. Islami Andolan Bangladesh captured one seat, and independent candidates emerged victorious in seven constituencies.
The scale of the BNP’s victory signals a decisive mandate for Tarique Rahman’s leadership and represents one of the most significant political developments in Bangladesh in recent decades.
Regional and Political Implications
With Tarique Rahman set to assume leadership, Bangladesh enters a new political chapter. The country last had a male Prime Minister nearly 35 years ago, adding symbolic weight to this transition.
However, analysts caution that the incoming government faces formidable challenges. The 18-month tenure of the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus was marked by political unrest and growing concerns over Islamist extremism. The new government will be under pressure to stabilize the political climate, restore investor confidence, and ensure law and order.
India, as Bangladesh’s closest neighbor and key economic partner, will be closely watching the developments. Bilateral ties between the two nations span trade, security cooperation, energy connectivity, and cultural exchange. The presence of Om Birla at the swearing-in ceremony is expected to reinforce diplomatic goodwill and open avenues for renewed strategic engagement.
Strengthening India-Bangladesh Relations
The India-Bangladesh relationship has evolved significantly over the past decade, with both countries cooperating on border management, counterterrorism, infrastructure connectivity, and regional trade initiatives. India has consistently emphasized its support for democratic stability in Bangladesh.
By sending a high-ranking constitutional authority to the ceremony, New Delhi signals continuity in its foreign policy approach toward Dhaka. Experts believe the gesture will help set a constructive tone for the new government’s engagement with India.
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As Bangladesh prepares for the formal inauguration of its 13th Parliament, the spotlight will remain on Dhaka—not only for the political transition but also for the broader implications for South Asian geopolitics.
The swearing-in ceremony on February 17 is expected to mark the beginning of a new era in Bangladesh’s governance and a renewed chapter in India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.
