Tarique Rahman has officially assumed the office of Prime Minister of Bangladesh, marking a historic return for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) after nearly two decades. Following 17 years in exile, Mr. Rahman led the BNP to a decisive victory in the February 12 general elections, securing 209 out of 300 parliamentary seats.
The swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday marks the end of an 18-month interim administration that followed the 2024 student-led uprising. Prime Minister Rahman inherits a significant political legacy, following in the footsteps of his father, the late President and 1971 Liberation War hero Ziaur Rahman, and his mother, the late two-term Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
Economic Recovery and Political Stability
Upon taking office, the Prime Minister identified economic revitalization and the restoration of domestic political stability as his administration’s immediate priorities. “Our task is to rebuild an economy weakened by recent uncertainty and to establish a governance framework that honors the democratic aspirations of our people,” a government spokesperson stated.
Bangladesh’s new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged to stabilize prices during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, restore the rule of law and advance economic and infrastructure reforms following his party’s landslide victory in parliamentary elections…
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 19, 2026
Strengthening Ties with Saudi Arabia and the GCC
A cornerstone of the Rahman administration’s foreign policy will be the deepening of relationships with the Muslim world, specifically the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations.
In a recent statement, Prime Minister Rahman emphasized:
- Strategic Partnership with Saudi Arabia: The Prime Minister expressed profound admiration for Saudi Vision 2030 and looks forward to a long-term trusting partnership with the Kingdom’s leadership.
- Legacy of Cooperation: Formal diplomatic relations were initiated during his father’s presidency in 1975, and Mr. Rahman has pledged to further strengthen the bond that has made Saudi Arabia the primary destination for over 3 million Bangladeshi expatriates.
- Regional Collaboration: The Prime Minister intends to work closely with the leadership of the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman to foster mutual economic and developmental interests.
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Upcoming Diplomatic Mission
Continuing a family tradition of prioritizing the Kingdom, Prime Minister Rahman has announced plans to visit Saudi Arabia early in his term. The visit will serve both diplomatic and personal purposes, as the Prime Minister intends to perform Umrah at Al-Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah.
The Saudi government has extended its formal congratulations to Prime Minister Rahman, wishing the people of Bangladesh continued prosperity under the new leadership.
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