Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Photo: Collected

DHAKA, Feb 17, 2026 (BSS) – World leaders today congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on becoming Bangladesh’s new premier and expressed hope for stability, prosperity and democratic progress under his leadership following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s victory in the 13th parliamentary elections.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his warm congratulations to Rahman and conveyed his desire to work closely with the new government to further deepen Dhaka-Delhi ties.

“I extend my warmest congratulations to you (Rahman) on the victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party at the just concluded parliamentary elections in Bangladesh and on your appointment as the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh,” the Indian premier wrote.

Modi described Rahman’s victory as 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”.

He said he looked forward to enhancing cooperation across key sectors. “I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations, enhance regional cooperation and advance our common goals in wide-ranging areas of connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare as well as culture and people to people exchanges,” he said.

Modi also extended an invitation for an official visit. “I take this opportunity to invite you, along with Dr. Zubaida Rahman and your daughter Zaima, on a visit to India at a mutually convenient time,” he said, adding, “A warm welcome awaits you in India.”

Chinese Premier Li Qiang congratulated Rahman on his inauguration, reaffirming Beijing’s support for Bangladesh’s new administration. 

In his message, Li highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two countries and noted that over the past five decades, Beijing and Dhaka have consistently pursued mutually beneficial cooperation.

Expressing readiness to work closely with the new prime minister, Li said he looked forward to strengthening high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and elevating the China-Bangladesh Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to new heights for the benefit of both peoples.

From Islamabad, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari conveyed his congratulations, describing Tarique Rahman’s premiership as the beginning of “a new chapter in the history of Bangladesh.”

“We hope and pray that the newly elected government will make the people of Bangladesh proud and play an important and positive role in the region and the world at large to promote peace and progress,” Zardari said.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae also congratulated premier Tarique Rahman on assuming office and reaffirmed Tokyo’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties under the existing “Strategic Partnership” between Japan and Bangladesh.

She welcomed the continued promotion of democratic efforts in Bangladesh and conveyed Japan’s readiness to work closely with the new leadership in Dhaka to deepen cooperation in infrastructure, economic development, trade and people-to-people exchanges.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a message of congratulations following the BNP’s victory in the parliamentary elections. 

UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan also conveyed similar congratulatory messages, underscoring the importance Abu Dhabi attaches to its longstanding ties with Dhaka.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the significance of bilateral cooperation, saying Australia looked forward to strengthening its partnership with Bangladesh under the new government. 

In a message posted on X, Albanese said the two nations shared a “valuable partnership” and that Australia was keen to work closely with Dhaka to promote “a stable, prosperous region”.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Stefan Liller described it as an honour to witness the swearing-in ceremony of the new government and extended his good wishes, saying, “Wishing you all the success in your new roles.”

Congratulatory messages also poured in from across South Asia and beyond. 

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Nepalese Prime Minister Sushila Karki, Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Seema Malhotra, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent Christensen and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were among those who extended greetings to the new premier.

The wide-ranging congratulatory messages reflected strong international engagement with Bangladesh and expectations that the new government would steer the country towards greater political stability, economic progress and democratic consolidation.

The global reactions underscored the strategic importance of Bangladesh in regional and international affairs and signal readiness among key partners to work closely with the Tarique Rahman-led administration in advancing shared priorities of peace, development and prosperity.