Dhaka

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday to represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s newly elected government, led by Tarique Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Upon his arrival, Birla was received by Bangladesh Foreign Ministry Secretary Nazrul Islam at the airport. Officials from the High Commission of India were also present, underlining the regional significance of the political transition in Bangladesh.

Among other international dignitaries, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay also arrived in Dhaka to attend the ceremony. He was received by Foreign Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said Birla’s participation “underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh, reaffirming India’s steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind the two nations.”

Tarique Rahman is set to take oath as Prime Minister as Bangladesh enters what leaders have described as a “new dawn” following years of political upheaval. The swearing-in ceremony at the Parliament Bhawan marks the BNP’s return to power after its landslide victory in the February 12 general elections, where the party-led alliance secured 212 seats in the 300-member parliament.

Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, led the party to a decisive mandate after returning from a 17-year exile. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami, a former ally, emerged as the principal opposition with 77 seats.

Reflecting optimism over the transition, the Convener of the Jatiyo Chhatra Samaj said the new parliament and BNP government would mark a departure from the political climate following the 2024 ouster of Sheikh Hasina, expressing hope for a renewed democratic culture.

However, the transition has also seen procedural differences over the proposed Constitution Reform Council. While BNP MPs and independents took oath only as members of parliament, opposition parties — including Jamaat-e-Islami and 11 other groups — took an additional oath as members of the reform council. BNP lawmakers argue that the constitution does not mandate such an oath, while opposition members cite a referendum-based directive.

Amid these developments, diplomatic engagements continued, with Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, paying a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna.

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The developments reflect heightened international attention on Dhaka as Bangladesh’s new government prepares to assume office.