Page 2 - Bangladesh

B'desh voters back reform proposals in referendum: What changes lie ahead?

A majority of Bangladeshi voters supported the reform package in Thursday's vote, paving the way for the next Parliament to act on proposed constitutional changes under the July National Charter

Bangladesh elections 2026: BNP’s big victory and what Tarique Rahman’s win means for India

Bangladesh’s 2026 parliamentary election has delivered a decisive victory to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its allies.

Strategic affairs experts say Bangladesh poll results are good news

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which secured a landslide victory in the general elections, on Friday reiterated its firm stance on seeking the extradition of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India to face trial. "The foreign minister has already persuaded the case for her extradition, and we also support it," Senior BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed said. "We always press for her extradition according to the law. This is between the foreign ministries of the two countries. We also asked the government of India to please send her back to face trial in Bangladesh," he added. Ahmed emphasised that Bangladesh seeks normal relations with all neighbours, including India, but only on equal terms. "We need a friendly relationship based on mutual respect, equality with all the countries, including India," he said. His comments came soon after the BNP's sweeping victory in the general elections held on Thursday. This is the first election since the mass uprising in August 2

Congress congratulates BNP for winning parliamentary polls in Bangladesh

The Congress on Friday congratulated the BNP for winning the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh would always be supported by all Indians for the stability and peace of the region. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday claimed victory in the crucial general elections, marred by sporadic incidents of violence, to elect a new government to replace the interim administration, which took charge after the fall of the Awami League regime in August 2024. In a post on X, Kharge said, "On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I congratulate Mr. Tarique Rahman and the BNP for winning the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh." India and Bangladesh share deep rooted bonds of history, language, culture, and multitude of other commonalities, the Congress chief said. "A democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh would always be supported by all Indians for the stability and peace o

Bangladesh elections 2026: Tarique Rahman-led BNP wins majority in polls

Tarique Rahman-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party claimed victory in Bangladesh's 2026 elections as counting continued; PM Narendra Modi congratulated Rahman and said India looks forward to closer ties

Political scion Tarique Rahman set to lead Bangladesh after BNP win

Rahman, 60, is the eldest son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and former President Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the BNP who was assassinated in 1981

Will Bangladesh emerge as South Asia's new strategic power player?

Bangladesh is central to India's security, bordering its sensitive northeastern states. For China, it's a significant node in its Belt and Road Initiative

BNP heads for decisive victory in Bangladesh's parliamentary election

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday appeared headed for a decisive victory in the South Asian nation's general elections as counting progressed for the polls to elect a government that would replace the interim administration, which took charge after the collapse of the Awami League regime in August 2024. Multiple media tallies showed the BNP had won more than 151 seats in the 300-seat parliament. The Election Commission (EC) is yet to make a formal announcement. An EC spokesperson said the results in several seats were still being processed and were likely to be announced in a few hours. The election was seen as a direct contest between the BNP and its former ally Jamaat-e-Islami, in the absence of ousted premier Sheikh Hasina's now disbanded Awami League. The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has been in place for 18 months. The voting for the 13th parliamentary elections was held along with a referendum on the implementation of a complex 84-point reform packag

India to receive same garment duty benefits as B'desh in US deal: Goyal

Commerce minister says India will secure concessional-duty access for garments made from US yarn and cotton, similar to benefits obtained by Bangladesh

Big update on India-US trade deal: India to get zero-duty textile access to US: What it means

India’s textile exporters could soon receive zero-duty access to the US market, easing fears after Bangladesh secured a similar trade advantage.

Bangladesh holds polls, referendum after 2024 upheaval, results on Friday

Bangladesh citizens on Thursday voted in parliamentary elections and a referendum on reforms nearly 18 months after the July 2024 student-led movement that ousted the Sheikh Hasina government

Violence mars Bangladesh general elections as voting continues nationwide

Voting began on Thursday morning in Bangladesh's crucial general election -- the first since the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina in massive nationwide protests two years ago, amid sporadic violence. The Election Commission reported that 32.88 per cent of votes had been cast across 32,000 polling centres nationwide by 12 noon during the election. The update was shared at a briefing at 12:45pm on Thursday. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said voting was continuing in all centres despite isolated incidents in different parts of the country, The Dhaka Tribune reported. "So far, voting has not been suspended in any polling centre. There is no alarming situation," he told reporters. The voting started in 299 out of 300 parliamentary constituencies across the country from 7:30 am (local time) and will continue until 4:30 pm. The counting of votes is expected to begin shortly after the voting concludes. Voting in one constituency has been cancelled due to the death of a candidate.

Bangladesh begins voting in crucial polls as 51 parties compete for power

The Election Commission has made elaborate security arrangements, deploying nearly 1 million security personnel -- the largest-ever in the country's electoral history

Ahead of polls, B'desh Jamaat chief vows strong, respectful ties with India

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday said that his party would work to build "strong, respectful and mutually beneficial" relations with India if voted to power. Rahman made the comments during a meeting with a group of journalists in Dhaka on the eve of the general elections. Rahman emphasised national unity, equal citizenship and constructive relations with neighbouring countries, including India. "We seek positive relationships with our neighbouring countries and with friends around the world. India is our nearest neighbour, and it will remain a priority. Our goal is not to create conflict but to build partnerships for development and peace. Mutual respect and trust are essential," he said. Bangladesh will hold its first general elections since the 2024 uprising that led to the ouster of then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Jamaat-e-Islami, leading an 11-party alliance, has emerged as the main rival to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led ...

Bangladesh elections: All you need to know about key players, parties

The BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, and the Jamaat-e-Islami are seen as frontrunners, with the student-led NCP in distant third. The Awami League is barred from contesting

Bangladesh election tests Gen Z uprising, India-China power balance

Bangladesh's first election since Muhammad Yunus took charge as interim leader will test whether Gen Z-led protest movements can convert street momentum into stable, long-term political power

US-Bangladesh pact to put India's textile, cotton exports in a spot

India's textile industry sees the US-Bangladesh trade deal as a mixed outcome, with zero reciprocal tariffs for some Bangladeshi goods potentially hurting apparel and cotton yarn exports

US-Bangladesh trade agreement unlikely to dent India's auto exports

The US-Bangladesh reciprocal trade pact is unlikely to materially affect India's auto and auto component exports, analysts say, despite tariff concessions and wider market access for Dhaka

US-Bangladesh pact unlikely to impact India's pharma, medtech exports

Industry executives say the US-Bangladesh reciprocal trade agreement is unlikely to materially affect India's pharma and medtech exports, given India's scale and established FDA-approved supply chains

Bangladesh heads to polls on Feb 12: Why the outcome matters for India

Bangladesh votes on February 12 in its first election since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government; the outcome could shape political stability and ties with India