Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Nazrul Islam Khan has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for congratulating party chief Tarique Rahman after the BNP’s decisive victory in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, signalling a conciliatory tone toward India as the party prepares to form the next government.
Khan, who heads the BNP’s polls coordination committee, said the party appreciated Modi’s message and expressed confidence that bilateral relations would improve under Rahman’s leadership. He stated that the BNP believes ties between India and Bangladesh — as well as people-to-people relations — would grow stronger in the coming period.
Prime Minister Modi had earlier congratulated Rahman through a message posted on X, describing the electoral win as a reflection of public trust in his leadership. Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to cooperation with Bangladesh, highlighting the two countries’ shared historical, cultural and regional links and expressing support for Bangladesh’s peace, progress and prosperity.
The BNP secured more than 210 seats in the parliamentary election, defeating rivals including Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party, positioning Tarique Rahman to assume office as the country’s next prime minister.
Commenting on the electoral process, Khan said the polls were comparatively peaceful, with significantly lower levels of violence and damage than previous elections. He added that the BNP contested nearly all constituencies and remained confident about strengthening its performance in future elections as well.
The remarks also reflect a shift in the BNP’s approach toward India. While relations were often strained during earlier BNP governments led by Khaleda Zia, the party under Tarique Rahman has adopted what it describes as a more balanced “Bangladesh First” policy — prioritising national interests while maintaining cooperative relations with neighbouring countries based on mutual respect, equality and shared benefit.
The exchange of messages between Modi and BNP leadership is being viewed as an early diplomatic signal that both sides are seeking stability and continuity in India-Bangladesh relations despite political changes in Dhaka.
