Modi congratulates Tarique, invites him to visit India
Earlier, Modi congratulated Tarique on his party's victory in Bangladesh's parliamentary elections.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on his assumption as the prime minister of Bangladesh.
The message was delivered through a personal letter handed over by India's Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today (17 February).
In the two-page letter, Modi said India and Bangladesh, as two fast-growing economies, could work together to ensure mutual security and shared prosperity.
"As two fast-growing economies and aspiring societies, India and Bangladesh can truly become catalysts for each other's sustainable growth," said the letter uploaded by the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on its website.
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He expressed interest in working closely with Tarique Rahman to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance regional cooperation in areas including connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare and cultural exchanges.
Modi also invited Rahman, along with his wife Zubaida and daughter Zaima, to visit India at a mutually convenient time, and promised that a "warm welcome awaits you in India."
Highlighting the longstanding ties between the neighbours, the Indian premier said the relationship was rooted in shared history, cultural connections and common aspirations for peace and prosperity. He added that the convergence of development priorities would guide future cooperation.
He said, "As two close neighbours, India and Bangladesh have a deep-rooted friendship founded on shared history, cultural ties and the aspirations of our peoples for peace and prosperity."
"The strong convergence between our respective developmental priorities shall serve as a guiding principle for our future cooperation," Modi wrote.
Extending "warmest congratulations" to Tarique Rahman on the victory of the BNP at the recent parliamentary elections and on his becoming the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Modi said, "Your victory is a testimony to the trust and confidence reposed by the people of Bangladesh in your leadership and their mandate for your vision to take the country forward on the path of peace, stability and prosperity."
During his meeting with Tarique, Birla conveyed that India stands ready to support Bangladesh's endeavours to build a democratic, progressive and inclusive nation, according to a statement issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
The Speaker also reaffirmed India's commitment to deepening the enduring partnership between our two neighbouring countries.
Earlier on 13 February, Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on his party's decisive victory in Bangladesh's parliamentary elections.
In a Facebook post, Modi extended his "warm congratulations" to Tarique, saying the outcome reflected the trust of the people of Bangladesh in his leadership.
He affirmed that India would continue to stand in support of a "democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh".
Earlier today, Tarique Rahman took oath as the 11th prime minister of Bangladesh.
On behalf of India, OM Birla and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri attended the ceremony along with foreign delegates and ambassadors from other nations.
Although the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus had extended an invitation to Modi to attend Tarique's swearing-in, he could not make it due to the pre-scheduled meeting with the visiting French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai and the AI Summit in Delhi.
