In a historic shift for South Asian politics, Tarique Rahman was officially sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh today, February 17, 2026. The ceremony, held in Dhaka, was administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin and attended by newly elected MPs who took their oaths earlier in the morning. This transition marks the end of the interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, which had governed since the fall of the Awami League in August 2024.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

International representatives attended the event, with Om Birla, the Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha, representing India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined the invitation due to pre-existing diplomatic commitments. Tarique Rahman’s party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), secured a decisive majority in the general elections, winning 209 out of 297 seats. Rahman is the first male Prime Minister in the country in decades, following the long tenure of female leaders. 

The day was not without procedural surprises; the Election Commission announced that the entire parliament would also take an oath as a "Constitution Reform Commission" for 180 days. This move, stemming from a recent referendum that received a majority "yes" vote, has caused some unease among opposition members regarding the dual parliamentary and reform duties. The The Hindu provided live updates on this significant transition.