NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended a warm invitation to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman and newly appointed Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman, to visit India at a mutually convenient time.

In a letter addressed to Rahman, PM Modi also invited his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Zaima, to accompany him. "I take this opportunity to invite you, along with Dr. Zubaida Rahman and your daughter Zaima, on a visit to India at a mutually convenient time. A warm welcome awaits you in India," the letter stated, reflecting Modi's enthusiasm for bilateral relations.

The Prime Minister congratulated Rahman on his party’s victory in the recent parliamentary elections and expressed his admiration for the trust placed in him by the Bangladeshi people. "Your victory is a testimony to the trust and confidence reposed by the people of Bangladesh in your leadership and their mandate for your vision to take the country forward on the path of peace, stability, and prosperity," he wrote, underscoring the significance of this political transition.

Highlighting the deep-rooted ties between India and Bangladesh, Modi emphasized the nations' shared history and aspirations. He stated, "As two close neighbours, India and Bangladesh have a deep-rooted friendship founded on shared history, cultural ties, and the aspirations of our peoples for peace and prosperity." He anticipates close collaboration with Rahman on various fronts, including connectivity, trade, technology, healthcare, and cultural exchanges.

Rahman’s recent swearing-in marks a historic shift in Bangladesh's political landscape, ending a two-decade hiatus for the BNP. The party won a commanding 212 out of 300 seats in the newly formed parliament during the February 12 general elections, indicating a strong mandate from the public. India was represented at the swearing-in ceremony by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, emphasizing the regional importance of the BNP's return to power in Dhaka.