‘We Look Forward To Engaging Constructively With India’: BNP’s Response To PM Modi After Poll Win

Last Updated:February 14, 2026, 13:37 IST

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party thanked PM Modi for congratulating Tarique Rahman on the party’s election victory, calling the mandate a reflection of public trust in democracy.

File photos of PM Narendra Modi/Tarique Rahman (PTI)

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

In a response posted on social media platform X, the BNP expressed appreciation for the Prime Minister’s message and highlighted the significance of the electoral mandate received by the party.

“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.

The BNP 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 political priorities, the party said Bangladesh would remain committed to democratic governance and inclusive growth.

“Bangladesh remains committed to upholding democratic values, inclusivity, and progressive development for all its citizens,” the BNP mentioned in its post.

The party also underlined its intent to maintain cooperative relations with India, signalling continuity in regional engagement despite the political transition.

“We look forward to engaging constructively with India to advance our multifaceted relationship, guided by mutual respect, sensitivity to each other’s concerns, and a shared commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in our region,” it added.

The response came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a congratulatory message to Tarique Rahman for leading the BNP to what he described as a decisive victory in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections.

In his message on X, PM Modi wrote, “I convey my warm congratulations to Mr Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership.”

The Prime Minister further reaffirmed India’s support for Bangladesh’s democratic and developmental journey, stating, “India will continue to stand in support of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals.”

According to unofficial results reported by local media, the BNP-led alliance secured 210 seats in the 13th parliamentary elections, paving the way for the formation of a new government led by the party.

Bangladeshi Bengali daily Jugantor, citing party sources, reported that Tarique Rahman is set to lead the government, marking the return of a male Prime Minister in Bangladesh after nearly 35 years.

Unofficial constituency results indicated that Rahman won the Dhaka-17 seat with 72,699 votes, defeating Jamaat-e-Islami candidate SM Khaliduzzaman, who secured 68,300 votes.

Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury announced the results on Friday, noting that voting took place across 125 centres, including postal ballots, with Rahman winning by a margin of 4,399 votes.

Rahman was also unofficially elected from the Bogra-6 constituency, receiving 2,16,284 votes from 150 centres, while his nearest rival, Abidur Rahman Sohel, secured 97,626 votes.

Earlier, after casting his vote at the Gulshan Model High School and College Centre in Dhaka, Rahman had expressed confidence in his party’s victory, saying the people of Bangladesh had been waiting for the moment for over a decade.

The BNP chief, son of former President Gen Ziaur Rahman and late former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, assumed party leadership following his mother’s death in December last year and is now set to lead the country after the electoral win.

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