Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Bangladesh's new prime minister following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's landslide victory in the national elections. The swearing-in ceremony, administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin, took place at the south plaza of the parliament building in Dhaka on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, evening.
Bangladesh holds its general election on Thursday, February 12, amid an intense political campaign across major cities. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party and student-led National Citizen Party mobilise supporters through rallies in Dhaka and Sylhet.
Bangladesh held its 13th general election on February 12, 2026, with voters across Dhaka casting ballots in a significant democratic exercise.
Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female prime minister and a central figure in the country's turbulent political landscape for more than three decades, died in Dhaka on Tuesday at the age of 80.
Bangladesh secured a historic nine-wicket victory over Australia in Darwin, marking their first-ever Test win on Australian soil, powered by Tanzid Hasan's century and Mehidy Hasan Miraz's five-wicket haul.
Bangladesh has stated there is "no rush" for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to India, emphasising that Dhaka will not compromise its national interests. State Minister Humaiun Kobir indicated the visit would occur after sufficient bilateral progress. The visit is crucial for mending India-Bangladesh ties, which have been strained, particularly following the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina and Bangladesh's subsequent extradition request.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a close ally of former premier Khaleda Zia, has been elected as Bangladesh's new President in the first contested poll for the post in 35 years.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared her intention to return to Bangladesh in December, despite facing a death sentence and the risk of arrest. Speaking from India, she stated her goal is to restore democracy and justice, criticising the current state of affairs in Bangladesh and alleging that her government's collapse was due to organised violence. Her son also claimed Bangladesh is a "failed state" and a concern for India.
Veteran politician Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been sworn in as Bangladesh's 23rd President, following a contested parliamentary election that saw him defeat Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed. Alamgir, a longtime secretary general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), will serve a five-year term.
Hasina expressed a desire to face consequences on her home soil, where her parents are buried, amidst repression against her party workers.
'After announcing that she will return to Bangladesh, if she does not, her credibility will suffer.'
Who is running the show in Dhaka? This kind of flip-flop, culminating in a last-minute decision to skip a maiden visit, can happen only when the remote is in the hands of one of the competing lobbies within the BNP -- one that appears determined to play a game of chess with India.
India's position appears to be anchored around three red lines: Hasina's safety and the guarantee of a fair trial; assurances that Bangladeshi territory will not be used for activities hostile to India; and the restoration of an inclusive democratic process in Bangladesh.
Bangladeshi authorities intervened to save a rare albino buffalo named 'Donald Trump,' known for its blond hair resembling the US president's hairstyle, from being sacrificed during Eid celebrations. The buffalo will now be preserved at the national zoo in Dhaka.
A rare albino buffalo nicknamed 'Donald Trump' due to its distinctive hairstyle has been sold in Bangladesh ahead of Eid al-Adha, capturing widespread attention on social media and local news.
Dhaka and Beijing on Thursday agreed to strengthen cooperation on the management of the Teesta and other rivers and signed 13 agreements to bolster bilateral ties following talks between Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
On Wednesday, August 14, 2024 victims and relatives of people injured and killed during the recent unrest joined a protest demanding justice at Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.
The voting for the 13th parliamentary elections was held along with a referendum on a complex 84-point reform package.
People vandalise the statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the 'Father of the Nation' in Dhaka.
India and Bangladesh are scheduled to hold bi-annual Director General-level border talks in Delhi next week, focusing on border fencing, attacks on BSF personnel, infiltration, cross-border crimes, and illegal migration.
Tarique Rahman is Bangladesh's first male prime minister in more than three decades, ending an era of female leadership that began in 1991.
Sporadic violence erupts across Bangladesh as the nation awaits a special tribunal verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a case of alleged crimes against humanity. Security is heightened, and authorities are on high alert.
Bangladesh is importing 5,000 tonnes of diesel from India through a cross-border pipeline on Tuesday, according to officials. The fuel consignment will enter Bangladesh through the Parbatipur point, said Muhammad Rezanur Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).
'Tarique Rahman's refrain during the electoral campaign was that the minorities are safe under BNP. He has to honour that promise.'
India has acknowledged that it is currently reviewing the Bangladesh government's request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as part of ongoing judicial and legal processes.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which Sheikh Hasina has crushed during her multiple terms as prime minister, has stirred into action after its leader Begum Khaleda Zia was released from prison.
Sensitive issues remain. Water sharing of the Ganga and Teesta rivers. Treatment of minorities, particularly Hindus. Border management. Trade imbalances. Connectivity projects.What happens next will shape not just bilateral ties, but the balance of South Asia itself, points out Ramesh Menon.
Bangladesh is reportedly planning to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other regional leaders to the swearing-in ceremony of its next prime minister, Tarique Rahman. Modi may not attend due to a prior engagement with French President Emmanuel Macron.
'Many senior Bangladeshis feel Bangladesh will fall into anarchy if the Jamaat becomes an important part of a future government or has disproportionate influence in the government.'
Following the new government's assumption of power, the Bangladesh Army has undergone a significant reshuffle, including the appointment of a new Chief of General Staff and changes in key strategic commands.
The funeral prayer for former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will be held on Wednesday in Dhaka. Foreign dignitaries are expected to attend.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reiterated its demand for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India to face trial in Bangladesh, emphasizing the need for equal and respectful relations with all neighboring countries.
If the Bangladesh Nationalist Party wins, Tarique Rahman will be Bangladesh's first male prime minister in 36 years.
Captured in powerful images and unforgettable moments, 2025 emerged as a turning point in global affairs. These images tell the defining stories that shaped the world across continents.
'The BNP's election manifesto lists grievances against India, mirroring the attitude of past BNP governments.' 'Political parties have been careful not to say bad things about China.'
Members of minority communities in Bangladesh -- mostly Hindus -- faced at least 205 incidents of attacks in 52 districts since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, according to two Hindu organisations in the violence-hit nation.
On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, thousands of Bangladeshis gathered in Dhaka to mark the first anniversary of the mass protests that toppled Sheikh Hasina's regime.
The United States on Friday issued a 'security alert' for its citizens in Bangladesh, asking them to remain vigilant and avoid crowds as political violence or extremist attacks may occur, potentially targeting rallies, polling stations, and religious sites during the election period.
India has rejected assertions by the interim government of Bangladesh, stating it has never allowed its territory to be used for activities against Bangladesh's interests. It also called for peaceful elections in the country.
