DHAKA: On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Tarique Rahman was officially sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, marking a historic return for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Following a landslide victory with 209 seats, the ceremony at the Parliament House signaled the end of an 18-month interim period. Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Bala Nanda Sharma, joined other regional leaders in Dhaka to witness the transition, underscoring the event's diplomatic weight.
The day began with a farewell from outgoing Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. The 85-year-old Nobel laureate, who took charge following the 2024 uprising, delivered a moving final address. He described his tenure as "emergency surgery" to restore the nation’s dignity and judiciary. Yunus urged the new government to protect the hard-won democratic reforms and praised the citizens who fought for a "just and humane" Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Rahman now inherits a nation transformed by over 100 new laws and a "Bangladesh First" foreign policy. His first speech emphasized unity over retribution, aiming to heal a deeply polarized society. Beyond domestic issues, his administration eyes a bold sub-regional future, focusing on trade corridors that link Bangladesh’s ports with Nepal, Bhutan, and India’s Seven Sisters.
For the average citizen, the change in leadership brings a mix of relief and high expectation. Whether it is a student in Kathmandu hoping for easier travel or a trader in Meghalaya seeking sea access, the region is watching closely. Rahman’s greatest test will be balancing these ambitious nationalist goals with the economic realities of a changing South Asia.
