Mamata Hails Tarique as ‘Brother’

The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has warmly congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its chairman Tarique Rahman following the party’s emphatic victory in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election.

In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday afternoon (13 February), Ms Banerjee addressed Mr Rahman as “brother”, a gesture widely interpreted as a sign of cordial political goodwill. Extending her congratulations to the people of Bangladesh, she wrote: “My heartfelt greetings to all the brothers and sisters of Bangladesh. I offer my advance wishes for Ramadan Mubarak. Congratulations to my brother Tarique, to his party, and to the other parties for this resounding victory. May everyone remain well and happy.”

She further expressed hope that relations between her state and Bangladesh would remain strong and constructive, underscoring the deep cultural, linguistic and historical ties shared across the border.

Earlier, India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, also conveyed his congratulations to Mr Rahman. In his message on X, Mr Modi commended the BNP’s “clear and decisive victory” and described the result as a reflection of the Bangladeshi people’s trust in Mr Rahman’s leadership. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting “a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh”.

The Prime Minister added that he looked forward to working closely with Bangladesh’s new government to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and advance shared development goals. India and Bangladesh maintain extensive engagement in trade, energy, connectivity, water-sharing and regional security, making the outcome of the election of considerable interest in New Delhi and Kolkata alike.

Below is a summary of the key congratulatory messages:

The exchange of felicitations highlights the broader regional significance of the BNP’s electoral triumph. Political observers note that such prompt diplomatic outreach reflects India’s strategic interest in ensuring continuity and stability in its eastern neighbourhood. With economic cooperation and cross-border infrastructure projects already under way, both sides are expected to prioritise pragmatic engagement in the months ahead.