Bangladesh’s pursuits come first, says BNP chairman and PM-designate Tarique Rahman
Addressing a press convention, Rahman stated, “We’ve made ourselves clear about overseas coverage, the curiosity of Bangladesh and the curiosity of the individuals of Bangladesh come first.”
His remarks come amid strained ties with India after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India in August 2024 following huge student-led protests that compelled her resignation. She has been residing in New Delhi since then.
On Friday, the BNP reiterated its demand for Hasina’s extradition from India to face trial in Bangladesh. Senior BNP chief Salahuddin Ahmed stated the occasion helps efforts to deliver her again by means of diplomatic channels.
“The overseas ministry has already taken up the matter, and we assist it. We’ve constantly referred to as for her extradition in accordance with the regulation. This is a matter between the overseas ministries of the 2 international locations. We urge the Indian authorities to ship her again to face trial in Bangladesh,” Ahmed stated.
He added that Bangladesh seeks regular relations with all its neighbours, together with India, however based mostly on mutual respect and equality. “We would like pleasant relations with all international locations, together with India, based on mutual respect and equality,” he stated.
Rahman, who lived in self-imposed exile in London for 17 years, has emerged as Bangladesh’s new political chief, with the BNP — based by his father Ziaur Rahman — set to return to energy after twenty years. The 60-year-old chief’s occasion secured 209 of 297 seats within the elections, whereas the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami received 68 seats. The Awami League, led by Hasina, was barred from contesting the polls, which noticed a voter turnout of 59.44%.
The consequence marks a dramatic turnaround for the BNP, which confronted sustained political strain throughout Hasina’s 15-year rule that ended after nationwide protests in August 2024.
Rahman is the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and former president Ziaur Rahman, who based the BNP and was assassinated in 1981. Having returned to Bangladesh after years in exile, Rahman now faces the problem of delivering significant political and financial change and assembly public expectations for a decisive break from dynastic politics.