As preparations reach a fever pitch for the swearing-in ceremony of Tarique Rahman as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh this Tuesday (February 17), uncertainty has emerged regarding the attendance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to a report by the Hindustan Times, while the interim government—in consultation with the BNP leadership—has invited heads of government from 13 nations including India, China, and Pakistan, PM Modi is unlikely to attend in person.

The Conflict: Diplomatic Engagements in Mumbai
The primary reason for the uncertainty is a pre-scheduled high-profile diplomatic commitment in India.

The Macron Visit: French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to arrive in India next week for the AI Impact Summit.

Bilateral Talks: PM Modi is set to hold a bilateral meeting with President Macron in Mumbai on February 17, the same day as the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka.

Given this overlap, Indian sources indicate that it is improbable for PM Modi to travel to Bangladesh.

India’s Representation and Stance
Although the Prime Minister may not attend, India is expected to be represented by a high-ranking official, likely the Vice President or the External Affairs Minister.

The Hindustan Times cited Indian officials stating that while New Delhi prioritizes rebuilding ties with Dhaka—which have faced significant strain recently—it intends to navigate the process with "deliberate caution" rather than rushing into a formal reset.

Context: A Developing Rapport
Despite the scheduling conflict, there have been signs of a diplomatic thaw:

Congratulations from Modi: On Friday (February 13), following the unofficial election results, PM Modi phoned Tarique Rahman to congratulate him on his victory.

Mutual Interests: During the call, both leaders expressed interest in strengthening bilateral relations and working together toward shared developmental goals.

The Guest List
The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has extended invitations to 13 countries to witness the historic ceremony at the National Parliament’s South Plaza. The list includes:

Key Regional & Global Partners: India, China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Qatar, Malaysia, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan.