Following a decisive victory in Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary elections, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its Chairman, Tarique Rahman, have received warm congratulations from leaders in neighbouring India. Notably, Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, extended her felicitations via the social media platform X, addressing Tarique Rahman as “brother” and conveying her heartfelt greetings to the people of Bangladesh along with early Ramzan wishes.
In her message, published on Friday afternoon, 13 February, Mamata wrote: “I extend my warm congratulations to all brothers and sisters in Bangladesh and the entire population. Eid Mubarak in advance. Heartiest congratulations to my brother Tarique, his party, and other parties on this remarkable victory. Wishing everyone happiness and well-being.” She further emphasised her hope that the historic, cultural, and linguistic bonds between West Bengal and Bangladesh will remain strong.
The BNP, under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, reportedly secured a clear majority in the elections, according to official results. This triumph has prompted congratulatory messages from political figures both domestically and abroad.
Earlier, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, sent a separate message congratulating Tarique Rahman for steering the BNP to a decisive electoral win. Modi highlighted that this victory reflects the trust of the Bangladeshi people and underscores the strength of democratic processes. He also reaffirmed India’s support for a democratic, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh.
India and Bangladesh share a historically multidimensional relationship encompassing trade, transport, energy, border management, and cultural exchange. Prime Minister Modi expressed interest in working with the new Bangladeshi government to achieve joint development objectives.
The following table summarises the key congratulatory messages:
| Sender | Position | Message Summary | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mamata Banerjee | Chief Minister, West Bengal | Congratulated Tarique Rahman as ‘brother’; extended greetings to the Bangladeshi people | Maintain strong bilateral ties |
| Narendra Modi | Prime Minister, India | Congratulated BNP on electoral success; highlighted democratic reflection | Strengthen bilateral cooperation |
Political analysts note that such immediate congratulatory messages from top Indian leaders send a positive signal in regional diplomacy. Mamata Banerjee’s message is particularly significant given the longstanding cultural and economic ties between West Bengal and Bangladesh.
Overall, the election results mark the beginning of a new political chapter. Leaders anticipate that enhanced regional cooperation, trade expansion, and increased people-to-people exchanges will make Bangladesh–India relations more dynamic in the coming years.