Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended warm congratulations to Tarique Rahman after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) claimed a decisive victory in the country’s parliamentary elections. The message from New Delhi signals India’s readiness to engage constructively with the new leadership in Dhaka and reinforces its continued support for democratic values in the neighbouring nation.
In a post on X, Modi congratulated Rahman for leading the BNP to what he described as a clear and decisive mandate. He said the outcome reflected the trust and confidence of the people of Bangladesh in Rahman’s leadership. The Prime Minister also underlined India’s consistent position of supporting a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh.
I convey my warm congratulations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2026
This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership.
India will continue to stand in support of a democratic,…
Modi stated that India would continue to stand by Bangladesh in its democratic journey and expressed his eagerness to work closely with the incoming leadership to strengthen multifaceted bilateral relations. He emphasized advancing common development goals and deepening cooperation across sectors that have defined India-Bangladesh ties over the years.
The BNP announced that it had secured a majority in the general elections held to replace the interim administration. The interim government had taken charge after the collapse of the Awami League-led regime in August 2024, marking a significant political shift in the country. The latest elections were seen as a crucial test for Bangladesh’s democratic institutions following months of political transition.
Party leaders described the mandate as a strong endorsement of their governance vision and policy direction. While final confirmations and official tallies are awaited, the early claim of victory has already set the stage for a new political chapter in Bangladesh.
India and Bangladesh share deep-rooted historical, cultural and economic ties. Over the past decade, bilateral engagement has expanded significantly in areas such as trade, infrastructure development, connectivity, energy cooperation and border management. India remains one of Bangladesh’s largest trading partners and a key development partner in several major projects.
Modi’s swift congratulatory message indicates that New Delhi is keen to ensure stability and continuity in its relations with Dhaka. Analysts believe both nations have strong strategic and economic incentives to maintain close coordination, particularly in regional security, counter-terrorism cooperation and cross-border connectivity initiatives.
The political transition in Bangladesh comes at a time when the region faces evolving economic and geopolitical challenges. A stable and cooperative relationship between the two neighbours is widely viewed as essential for regional prosperity and security.
As Bangladesh prepares for the formation of a new government, expectations are high regarding economic recovery, job creation and institutional stability. The coming weeks will be crucial in shaping the direction of the new administration and defining its engagement with key international partners, including India.
With Modi’s message setting a positive tone, both sides appear poised to continue their engagement with a focus on shared development and long-term partnership.