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Jaishankar Congratulates Bangladesh's New Foreign Minister Amid Political Scrutiny

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has congratulated Dr. Khalilur Rahman on his appointment as the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. The appointment is part of the new cabinet under the BNP-led government of Tarique Rahman. Khalilur Rahman's selection has drawn scrutiny due to past criticism from the BNP and recent allegations about his role during the interim government. The development highlights the political complexities surrounding the new Bangladeshi administration.

Key Points: Jaishankar Welcomes Bangladesh's New Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman

  • Jaishankar congratulates new Bangladesh FM
  • Appointment under Tarique Rahman-led government
  • Khalilur Rahman was former NSA
  • Appointment follows past BNP criticism
  • Opposition raises questions over cabinet inclusion
2 min read

EAM Jaishankar congratulates Khalilur Rahman on becoming Bangladesh Foreign Minister

India's EAM S. Jaishankar congratulates Dr. Khalilur Rahman on his appointment as Bangladesh's Foreign Minister, aiming to advance bilateral ties.

"Look forward to working together to advance our cooperation for mutual progress and prosperity. - S. Jaishankar"

New Delhi/Dhaka, Feb 18 External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday congratulated Khalilur Rahman on being appointed as the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh under the new Tarique Rahman-led government.

Khalilur Rahman was sworn in as the Foreign Minister on Tuesday at the South Plaza of the Parliament complex, along with 49 other Cabinet members of the new BNP-led government.

The EAM expressed hope to advance the India-Bangladesh ties.

In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar said, "Congratulations to Dr Khalilur Rahman on being sworn in as the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. Look forward to working together to advance our cooperation for mutual progress and prosperity."

Khalilur Rahman was serving as the National Security Advisor under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

His appointment stands out as the BNP had demanded his resignation in May 2025, while heavily criticising his policies.

It came after Khalilur Rahman, during an event in the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka in May last year, was questioned about his US residency.

He responded by giving an example of Tarique Rahman, who was living in self-imposed exile in the UK at that time, and said that the BNP leader could also face similar allegations by the same logic.

These remarks drew heavy criticism from the BNP at that time.

Meanwhile, National Citizen Party (NCP) chief and MP Nahid Islam on Tuesday said that the inclusion of Khalilur Rahman in the cabinet has brought allegations of "election engineering, result manipulation and complications surrounding constitutional reform" into the public domain, reported leading Bangladeshi newspaper, The Daily Star.

"If Khalilur Rahman joins the BNP government as a minister, it raises questions about whether he acted on behalf of that party during the interim government's tenure," Islam was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting to see this appointment after all the controversy last year. The BNP criticized him heavily, and now he's their Foreign Minister? Politics makes for strange bedfellows indeed. Hope our government treads carefully.
R
Rohit P
The main thing is continuity in foreign policy. Bangladesh is our closest neighbor. We have shared history, culture, and economic interests. Water sharing, trade, and security cooperation must remain priorities, regardless of who is in the chair.
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, while congratulating the new minister is standard protocol, the article raises valid concerns about the appointment's background. The allegations mentioned by the NCP chief are serious. India's engagement should be principled, not just pragmatic.
V
Vikram M
Jaishankar Sir always handles these things with perfect timing and wording. "Mutual progress and prosperity" is the key phrase here. Let's hope the Teesta issue can see some forward movement now.
N
Nikhil C
The US residency question and the whole exile angle for both him and Tarique Rahman is a bit messy. But foreign policy can't wait for perfect politicians. We have to work with the government that is in place. Good luck to Dr. Rahman.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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