NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Bangladeshi government led by BNP’s Tarique Rahman in Dhaka on Tuesday.
According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Speaker’s participation underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the people of the two countries.
“As neighbours united by a shared history, culture, and mutual respect, India welcomes Bangladesh’s transition to an elected government under the leadership of H E Tarique Rahman, whose vision and values have received an overwhelming mandate of the people,” the MEA stated.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Secretary-General of Lok Sabha Utpal Kumar Singh are also likely to accompany Birla, people familiar with the matter said.
Bangladesh had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the event.
However, he will not be able to attend it as he is scheduled to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on February 17.
The newly elected MPs are scheduled to take their oath on Tuesday morning, followed by the swearing-in of the cabinet in the evening.
Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner, AMM Nasir Uddin, is expected to administer the oath to the MPs, while President Mohammed Shahabuddin is to administer the oath to the new cabinet. Rahman’s BNP won 209 out of 297 seats while Jamaat has 68 seats.