Om Birla to Represent India as Modi Skips Bangladesh Oath Ceremony
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Tarique Rahman as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday. The ceremony is scheduled for February 17 in Dhaka and marks a significant moment in Bangladesh’s political transition following the recent general elections.
An invitation for the event was extended by Bangladesh’s interim advisor, Muhammad Yunus, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, officials stated that the Prime Minister would be unable to attend due to prior diplomatic commitments, including hosting French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai and participating in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi later this week.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Birla’s participation underscores the deep and enduring friendship between India and Bangladesh and reaffirms India’s commitment to democratic values and regional cooperation. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials are expected to accompany the Indian delegation to the ceremony.
Tarique Rahman’s party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, secured a decisive victory in the general elections, winning 209 out of 297 elected seats. This election marked the first major democratic process since the political upheaval that followed the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Rahman will become Bangladesh’s first male Prime Minister in decades, succeeding a long political era that was dominated by female leadership, including that of his mother, Khaleda Zia.
The oath of office for the newly elected Members of Parliament is expected to be administered by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin earlier in the day, followed by the formal swearing-in of the Prime Minister and cabinet by President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
Leaders from at least 12 countries, including members of the South Asian region as well as major nations such as China, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia, have reportedly been invited to attend the event. The ceremony reflects the importance of regional diplomacy and cooperation in South Asia at a time when political transitions and global strategic partnerships continue to shape the region.
As neighbors sharing historical and cultural ties, India’s participation through Om Birla highlights the emphasis on strong bilateral relations and mutual respect between the two nations. The upcoming ceremony is expected to establish the tone for future collaboration between India and Bangladesh under the new leadership.
