Bangladesh has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chief Tarique Rahman on February 17.
According to sources, Mr. Modi declined the invitation, as he will be in Mumbai for bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, and then will chair the Artificial Intelligence (AI) impact summit in Delhi.
According to a statement from External Affairs Ministry, Om Birla, the Lok Sabha Speaker, will represent the Government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh led by Tarique Rahman.
“The Speaker’s participation at this important event underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh, reaffirming India’s steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind our two nations,” the Ministry said.
“As neighbours united by a 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 of the people,” it said.
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Bangladesh media reports that leaders of at least 12 other countries have been invited to the event including SAARC countries Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Maldives and Sri Lanka as well as China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia and Brunei. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay are also expected to travel to Delhi on February 18 for the AI summit
Sources confirmed that the invitation from Bangladesh’s Interim advisor Muhammad Yunus was delivered on Saturday (February 14, 2026) through diplomatic channels. The invitation came a day after Mr. Modi and Mr. Rahman spoke in a telephone call after the election results, which gave the BNP a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Speaking to The Hindu on Saturday (February 14, 2026), BNP Foreign Affairs Advisor Humaiun Kobir said that all “regional leaders” would be invited to the swearing in ceremony on Tuesday (February 17, 2026). Mr. Macron will arrive in India on February 16, and hold talks with Mr. Modi on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai. Both leaders will then fly to Delhi to attend the AI Impact summit.
(With inputs from PTI)
