India will be represented by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at the swearing-in ceremony of Tarique Rahman as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Tuesday. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will also attend, underscoring India’s commitment to its diplomatic relations with the neighboring country.

The invitation to heads of government from 13 nations, including India, China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Bhutan, highlights the international significance of Bangladesh’s democratic transition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited but could not attend due to prior engagements in Mumbai.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that Birla’s participation reflects the “deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh” and India’s support for democratic governance in the region. The ceremony will be held at the Southern Plaza of the Bangladesh Parliament House.

Also Read: PM Modi: India Negotiated Trade Deals with 38 Countries from "Position of Strength"

Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), will take the oath administered by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, marking the constitutional transition following general elections. Rahman’s victory comes after his return from 17 years in exile in Britain, making his political resurgence particularly noteworthy.

The BNP-led alliance secured 212 seats in the elections, while the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance won 77, according to the Bangladesh Election Commission. Rahman will succeed the interim government that had been in place since the student-led uprising ended Sheikh Hasina’s rule in August 2024.

Observers say Rahman’s swearing-in symbolizes a major political shift in Bangladesh, and India’s presence at the event is seen as a reaffirmation of bilateral cooperation in governance, trade, and cultural ties, further strengthening relations between the two neighboring nations.

Also Read: ‘Full-Stack AI Leader’? Sam Altman Says India Poised to Dominate Global AI Race