Dhaka, Feb 17 (NationPress) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla held a meeting with the newly appointed Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman, after the BNP government was sworn in on Tuesday.

Birla expressed, "I am pleased to have attended the inauguration ceremony of the new Government of Bangladesh, headed by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, today in Dhaka. India is prepared to assist Bangladesh in its efforts to establish a democratic, progressive, and inclusive society," he shared on X post-meeting.

During their discussion, Birla congratulated Rahman on his new role and extended an invitation for him to visit India. Both leaders shared a hopeful outlook for collaboration aimed at enhancing the welfare of the citizens of India and Bangladesh.

In a statement released on X, Riaz Hamidullah, Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India, conveyed, "Prime Minister H E Tarique Rahman sends his regards to India and to PM Hon. Narendra Modi during the courtesy meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla following the swearing-in of the new government."

"The Honorable Speaker shared greetings from India and an invitation to India. The two leaders are optimistic about collaborating for the benefit of the people of Bangladesh and India, focusing on a people-centric cooperation agenda," he added.

Earlier that day, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman, Tarique Rahman, took the oath as the 11th Prime Minister of Bangladesh after his party's significant success in the 13th Parliamentary elections.

Following his oath-taking, other cabinet members, including BNP leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, and others, were also sworn in. The oath was administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin at the South Plaza of the National Parliament in Dhaka.

The BNP’s cabinet consists of 50 members, including 25 ministers, 24 state ministers, and three technocrats.

Om Birla represented the Indian government at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly formed government in Dhaka.

In a formal statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) remarked, "The Honorable Speaker's attendance at this significant occasion highlights the profound and lasting friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh, reaffirming India's unwavering commitment to the democratic principles that unite our two nations."

It further noted, "As neighboring countries linked by a common history, culture, and mutual respect, India welcomes Bangladesh's transition to an elected government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, whose vision and values have received a resounding endorsement from the populace."