Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will travel to Dhaka to represent India at the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s newly elected government, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Sunday.
According to the MEA, Bangladesh had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the ceremony, but the Indian delegation will instead be led by the Lok Sabha Speaker.
Officials said Birla’s presence at the event reflects the depth of bilateral ties and the longstanding relationship between the two nations.
In an official statement, the MEA said the decision highlights the “deep and enduring friendship” between the people of India and Bangladesh, and reaffirms India’s commitment to democratic values shared by both countries.
The ministry also welcomed Bangladesh’s transition to an elected government, describing the outcome as a clear mandate of the people.
The new government in Bangladesh will be led by Tarique Rahman, chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
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Rahman’s party secured a landslide victory in the 300-member parliament, paving the way for the formation of the new administration.
Following the election results, Prime Minister Modi was among the first world leaders to congratulate Rahman.
In a message posted on X, Modi described the victory as decisive and said it reflected the trust of the Bangladeshi people in Rahman’s leadership.
He reaffirmed India’s support for a “democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh” and expressed his intention to further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between the two countries.
The MEA said Birla’s participation in the swearing-in ceremony will symbolise India’s support for Bangladesh’s democratic process and its continued commitment to strong diplomatic, political and people-to-people ties with Dhaka.
