Bangladesh PM Oath Ceremony: PM Shahbaz and Modi Also Invited

Dhaka: Following the formation of the new government in Bangladesh, preparations have begun to transform the swearing-in ceremony into a major regional diplomatic event. The ceremony is expected to be attended by the heads of government from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Dhaka Tribune reports that the swearing-in of prospective Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will be held on February 17, organized by the interim government. The event is seen as the formal inauguration of the country’s new leadership following the recent political transition. After winning a decisive two-thirds majority in the 13th national parliamentary elections, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has officially begun the process of government formation.

To provide the ceremony with an international dimension, preparations are underway to invite not only SAARC leaders but also heads of state from the Middle East. BNP Joint Secretary General (Foreign Affairs) Humayun Kabir told the Dhaka Tribune that while he would not name specific countries yet, the party is actively preparing invitations for regional and Middle Eastern leaders.

According to party sources, the BNP intends for the event to be attended by prominent foreign dignitaries to signal the new government’s diplomatic priorities. The incoming administration is expected to place special emphasis on strengthening ties within South Asia and the Middle East as cornerstones of its foreign policy.

Political observers note that the simultaneous attendance of Shehbaz Sharif and Narendra Modi would signal a significant shift in South Asian diplomatic alignments. The presence of both the Pakistani and Indian prime ministers at the same event is being viewed as a major development in regional politics. Ultimately, the swearing-in ceremony is being framed as an opportunity to outline a future of regional cohesion and economic recovery for Bangladesh.