‘Bangladesh First’: Tarique Rahman On Ties With India After BNP's Poll Win

Last Updated:February 15, 2026, 07:04 IST

India described the return of an elected leadership as an opportune moment to repair ties.

After a sweeping win in the 13th National Parliamentary Elections, Tarique Rahman said his party would put “Bangladesh first" when shaping foreign policy, including ties with India and other South Asian countries. Responding to a question on relations with India, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief said the interests of Bangladesh and its people would determine all external engagements, stressing on a policy guided strictly by national priorities.

‘Bangladesh first’ foreign policy

At a press conference, Tarique Rahman said the country’s foreign policy would prioritise national interests.

“The interests of Bangladesh and its people will determine our foreign policy," he said in response to a question on ties with India.

Switching from English to Bangla, he added that the interests of Bangladesh and its people would come first and that foreign policy decisions would be made accordingly.

Senior BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the party would follow a multilateral approach rather than a country-centric one. Rahman’s “Bangladesh First" policy aims to balance ties with neighbouring India, China and Pakistan.

The BNP leadership said safeguarding sovereignty, ensuring strategic autonomy and maintaining mutual respect would guide foreign relations.

Meanwhile, Humayun Kabir, who handles international relations for Rahman and is expected to play a key role in the new government, said the priority is to build stronger cooperation among people. He said India would be one of the countries to be visited, though no timeline was given.

India described the return of an elected leadership as an opportune moment to repair ties. Officials said they were “cautiously optimistic" about Rahman.

Humayun Kabir said the framework of engagement that existed during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League is now “irrelevant" after the fresh democratic mandate in Dhaka. He said India-Bangladesh bilateral ties need a “complete reset" following the sweeping parliamentary victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Kabir said the party’s two-thirds majority showed the confidence people have in Tarique Rahman, his leadership and his vision. He argued that New Delhi must recognise that Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League “do not exist in today’s Bangladesh" and adjust its approach. The relationship under Sheikh Hasina, he said, no longer exists and a reset needs a change in mindset on both sides. 

BNP thanks PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X that he was delighted to speak with Rahman and congratulated him on the victory. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to peace, progress and prosperity, highlighting deep historical and cultural ties between the two nations.

Earlier on Saturday, the BNP thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for congratulating party chairman Tarique Rahman following the party’s decisive victory in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections. The party said it looks forward to constructive engagement with India to further strengthen bilateral ties.

In a post on X, the BNP expressed appreciation for the Prime Minister’s message and highlighted the significance of the electoral mandate.

“Thank you very much, Honourable Narendra Modi. We greatly appreciate your kind acknowledgement of Mr Tarique Rahman’s leadership in securing the BNP’s decisive win in the national elections," the party said.

It added that the results reflected the will of the people and their faith in democratic institutions.

“This outcome reflects the trust and confidence the people of Bangladesh have placed in our leadership and in the democratic process," the statement read.

Reiterating its priorities, the party said Bangladesh would remain committed to democratic governance and inclusive growth.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 212 seats, according to the Electoral Commission. The Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance won 77 seats.

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