Tarique Rahman to be next Bangladesh PM; India welcomes victory
What's the story
Tarique Rahman, the acting chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is set to become the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The BNP's victory in the recent elections has been welcomed by India, which sees Rahman's party as a more liberal and democratic alternative to Jamaat-e-Islami. India has already congratulated him on his win and expressed eagerness to restore bilateral ties that had soured after Sheikh Hasina's ouster in 2024.
Policy shift
Rahman's 'Bangladesh First' agenda
Rahman, who returned from 17 years of exile in London last December, has promised a "Bangladesh First" agenda, similar to United States President Donald Trump's "America First" narrative. He has expressed that he will keep Bangladesh equidistant from India, China, and Pakistan in a departure from the interim administration's tilt toward Pakistan and China. The BNP leader has also avoided anti-India rhetoric in his speeches despite recent violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
Diplomatic efforts
India's outreach to Rahman
India intensified its outreach to Rahman, especially after the illness and demise of his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed concern over Zia's health and offered support. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Dhaka to meet Rahman and delivered a personal letter from PM Modi. In doing so, Jaishankar became the first Indian leader to visit Dhaka following the 2024 unrest. Even before official results were announced, Modi took to X to congratulate Rahman.
Twitter Post
PM Modi congratulates BNP's Tarique Rahman
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,…
Security concerns
Addressing violence against Hindus and river-sharing issues with India
For his agenda, Rahman stated, "Not Dilli, Not Pindi, Bangladesh before everything." In a public address, he promised to "build a safe Bangladesh" for everyone, emphasizing inclusion. He said, "Religion is individual, but the state belongs to everyone," giving hope that violence against Hindus will be addressed. However, he remains firm on issues like border killings and river-sharing agreements; he has promised fair water sharing from the Teesta and Padma rivers as a matter of national survival.
Historical context
Controversies surrounding Rahman
Despite his new image, Rahman has a controversial past. He was once accused of being behind anti-India conspiracies from Hawa Bhaban, an office of BNP, considered an "alternative power center" during his mother's regime, according to media reports. India had accused Dhaka under the Zia-led regime of harboring Pakistan-based terror groups then. A secret US diplomatic cable in December 2005 had called him "The Dark Prince." In 2008, reports alleging corruption by the Dhaka Tribune revived this title for Rahman.