India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif, along with heads of government of other member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), may be invited to the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s new government, sources said.
The ceremony will be organized by the country’s interim government and is likely to take place on February 17.
After securing an absolute majority in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has begun the formal process of forming the next government. The party is set to form the government after winning more than two-thirds of the seats.
Preparations are underway to invite heads of government from SAARC member states as well as countries in the Middle East to attend the ceremony.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, BNP Joint Secretary General (Foreign Affairs) Humayun Kabir said: “I am not referring to any specific country. Preparations are being taken by the BNP to invite heads of government from SAARC member states and Middle Eastern countries to the oath-taking ceremony.”
Party sources said the BNP wants to ensure the presence of foreign dignitaries at the event to signal its diplomatic priorities and strengthen regional cooperation. The new government is expected to place particular emphasis on relations with South Asia and the Middle East as part of its foreign policy approach.
BNP, however, had reportedly hinted at the possible guest list earlier as well, according to BBC Bangla.
The remarks come amid a wave of congratulatory messages from the international community following the BNP’s landslide victory. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already spoken over the phone with BNP leader Tarique Rahman, congratulating him on what he described as an “extraordinary victory.” He also expressed India’s support for a democratic and progressive Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will serve as the main opposition party in the new parliament.