Bangladesh’s outreach to India ‘a good beginning’ for easing strained ties

Bangladesh has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in as the country’s next leader, a gesture analysts say could help steady relations after months of strain between the neighbours.Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured victory in last week’s national polls, paving the way for the long-time opposition leader to take office after years on the political sidelines.Modi will not attend Tuesday’s ceremony because of prior commitments, but India will be represented by Om Birla, the speaker of the lower house of parliament, signalling that New Delhi is keen to keep channels open.Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, has invited leaders and senior officials from 13 countries, including India, China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives and Bhutan, according to local media.India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed his “best wishes and support” to the BNP’s Tarique Rahman. Photo: AFPIn a social media post on Friday, Modi said he had spoken to Rahman and “conveyed my best wishes and support in his endeavour to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh”.