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Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on his electoral victory and expressed eagerness to deepen India-Bangladesh ties across sectors.

PM Modi invites Bangladesh PM to visit India, says looking forward to working closely

Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on his electoral victory and expressed eagerness to deepen India-Bangladesh ties across sectors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India along with his family and said he is looking forward to working closely with the BNP leader to strengthen the multi-faceted bilateral relations.
In a letter to Rahman, Modi said as two close neighbours, India and Bangladesh have a deep-rooted friendship founded on shared history, cultural ties and the aspirations of the peoples for peace and prosperity.
"The strong convergence between our respective developmental priorities shall serve as a guiding principle for our future cooperation," he said in the letter that was handed over by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla when he called on Rahman after the swearing-in ceremony of the new government in Dhaka.
"I extend my warmest congratulations to you on the victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party at the just concluded parliamentary elections in Bangladesh and on your appointment as the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh. I wish you every success as you assume the high responsibilities of this office," Modi said.
The prime minister said Rahman's victory in the election was a testimony to the trust and confidence reposed by the people of Bangladesh in his leadership and their mandate for his vision to take the country forward on the path of peace, stability and prosperity.
"I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations, enhance regional cooperation, and advance our common goals in wide-ranging areas of connectivity, trade, technology, education, skill development, energy, healthcare, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges," he said.
Modi said as two fast-growing economies and aspiring societies, India and Bangladesh can truly become catalysts for each other's sustainable growth, work for each other's security and enable mutual prosperity.
"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.
Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes for your good health and success, and for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh," he said.
After attending the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka, Birla said India is ready to support Bangladesh's endeavours to build a democratic, progressive and inclusive country.
"Glad to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government of Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka today. India stands ready to support Bangladesh's endeavours to build a democratic, progressive and inclusive nation," Birla said in a post on X.
Led by Rahman, the BNP swept to power with a two-thirds majority, bagging 49.97 per cent votes and 209 seats in the polls held on February 12. The results of the election were declared on February 13.
The Jamaat-e-Islami, which was opposed to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971, registered its best-ever performance with 31.76 per cent votes and 68 seats.
Bangladesh had invited Modi to the swearing-in ceremony, but the prime minister could not attend the event as he was scheduled to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on Tuesday.

BNP chief Tarique Rahman took oath as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister after his party secured a commanding majority in the 13th general elections.

Tarique Rahman sworn in as new Prime Minister of Bangladesh

BNP chief Tarique Rahman took oath as Bangladesh&rsquo;s Prime Minister after his party secured a commanding majority in the 13th general elections.

BNP leader Tarique Rahman was on Tuesday sworn in as Bangladesh's new prime minister, marking a new beginning for the country after a nearly 18-month period of political uncertainty and lawlessness under the rule of the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, represented India at the ceremony held at the open space of the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad in presence of Bangladesh's top political and military brass.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to 60-year-old Rahman at the South Plaza instead of Bangabhaban, in a departure from a long-standing tradition.
"I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of prime minister of the government in accordance with the law," said Rahman, who led his party to a forceful victory in the crucial general elections.
After the swearing-in, Rahman signed the oath of office and oath of secrecy. He will serve as the prime minister for the next five years.
Rahman, the son of late President Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, returned home in December after living in London in self-exile for 17 years.
Rahman has become the prime minister for the first time. He replaced the interim government chief Yunus, under whose tenure Dhaka's relations with New Delhi witnessed a significant downturn. Yunus took charge in August 2024 after the collapse of the Awami League regime.
Earlier in the day, Rahman was elected as leader of the parliamentary party by the BNP lawmakers.
President Shahabuddin also administered the oath to 25 ministers and 24 state ministers at the ceremony, attended by several leaders from neighbouring countries, including India and Pakistan.
The new cabinet includes two minority community members, BNP Vice President Nitai Roy Chowdhury of the Hindu faith and Dipen Dewan, a Buddhist.
In a surprise development, the new cabinet also inducted the outgoing interim regime&rsquo;s security adviser, Khalilur Rahman, as a technocrat minister, while several senior BNP leaders were left out of the new cabinet.
Cabinet division officials said the portfolios of the ministers and junior ministers would be announced later, though several mainstream media outlets named the portfolios of several of them, quoting unconfirmed sources.
The BNP bagged 209 out of 297 seats, while right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats in the 13th Parliamentary elections held on February 12 after a period of tumultuous political vacuum, instability and fragile security situation. The Awami League was barred from contesting polls.
The result was a major turnaround for the BNP, long targeted under the 15-year rule of the Awami League government which collapsed following nationwide student-led protests in August 2024.
Earlier in the day, newly elected lawmakers of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) took oath as members of parliament (MPs).
The Jamaat-e-Islami, which has emerged as the main opposition, boycotted the swearing-in ceremony. Jamaat&rsquo;s electoral ally student-led national Citizen Party (NCP), which was floated last year with Yunus&rsquo; blessings, followed in its footsteps.
In a post-election press conference, Rahman called for &ldquo;national unity&rdquo; and &ldquo;peace&rdquo; in the national interest, warning that divisiveness would undermine democracy. He said the country faces a fragile economy, weakened institutions, and a deteriorating law and order situation.
&ldquo;Our paths and opinions may differ, but in the interest of the country, we must remain united. I firmly believe that national unity is our collective strength, while division is our weakness,&rdquo; he said.
He said the new government faces two major challenges - tackling the economy and ensuring good governance.

Newly elected BNP MPs took oath in Bangladesh’s Parliament following their sweeping win in the 13th general elections, paving the way for Tarique Rahman to lead the next government.

BNP lawmakers sworn in after landslide victory in Bangladesh elections

Newly elected BNP MPs took oath in Bangladesh&rsquo;s Parliament following their sweeping win in the 13th general elections, paving the way for Tarique Rahman to lead the next government.

The newly elected Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lawmakers were sworn in on Tuesday, six days after the crucial general elections in the country.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has bagged 209 out of 297 seats, while right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats in the 13th Parliamentary elections. Deposed premier Sheikh Hasina's Awami League was barred from contesting polls.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasirudin administered the oath of office of the lawmakers inside the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban as a constitutional alternative in the absence of outgoing parliamentary Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, who resigned earlier.
In the changed political scenario, Deputy Speaker Shamsul Haque, who was supposed to conduct the oath in speaker&rsquo;s absence, was sent to jail, after a student-led violent street protest dubbed 'July Uprising' toppled deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s Awami League government.
Awami League was disqualified for the February 12 polls when BNP&rsquo;s once longtime ally and now hardened rival, Jamaat-e-Islami, emerged as the main opposition.
According to the official schedule, President Mohammad Shahabuddin would administer the oath of office of the cabinet, installing BNP to power in the afternoon after the majority party members are set to elect their leader.
Bangladesh Constitution dictates that the President invite the majority party leader to form the government and administer the cabinet&rsquo;s oath, while BNP said the cabinet would be led by party Chairman Tarique Rahman as the next Bangladesh Prime Minister.
BNP earlier said the party chairman would be the new prime minister of the country.
The party, however, unlike Jamaat, declined to take a second oath as members of the &ldquo;Constitution Reform Council&rdquo; to endorse the referendum staged simultaneously with the general election.
The second oath is aimed at obligating MPs to implement the much drummed up &ldquo;July Charter&rdquo; demanding the Constitution be massively rewritten, while the 84-point complex proposal was laid out in the referendum in a cognised but nearly esoteric form for voting.
The election commission reported that over 60 percent voters cast a &ldquo;yes&rdquo; vote in the referendum.
&ldquo;We have not been elected as members of the Constitution Reform Council; no provision of the council is yet to be incorporated in the Constitution,&rdquo; BNP&rsquo;s policy-making standing committee member and newly elected member Salahuddin Ahmed told the BNP MPs shortly before the event as the party members gathered for taking the oath.
In the presence of BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman, he added, &ldquo;None of us (BNP) members will take the second oath&rdquo;.

Outgoing interim chief Muhammad Yunus said his 18-month tenure restored Bangladesh’s sovereignty, national interests and dignity, asserting the country is no longer “submissive” in foreign policy.

Yunus says Bangladesh no longer ‘submissive’, mentions India’s northeast in farewell speech

Outgoing interim chief Muhammad Yunus said his 18-month tenure restored Bangladesh&rsquo;s sovereignty, national interests and dignity, asserting the country is no longer &ldquo;submissive&rdquo; in foreign policy.

Outgoing interim government chief Muhammad Yunus on Monday said his 18-month rule restored three core pillars of Bangladesh&rsquo;s external engagement - "sovereignty, national interests, and dignity", and it is no longer a "submissive" nation.
In his farewell address to the nation, Yunus said that at the end of his regime&rsquo;s rule, &ldquo;Today's Bangladesh is confident, active, and responsible in protecting its independent interests".
&ldquo;Bangladesh is no longer a country with a submissive foreign policy or dependent on the instructions and advice of other countries,&rdquo; he said in the televised address a day ahead of quitting power.
He emphasised that his 18-month tenure had rebuilt the three "fundamental foundations" of the country&rsquo;s foreign engagement: "sovereignty, national interests, and dignity".
Yunus&rsquo; interim regime began in August 2024 and is set to conclude its unscheduled term with the swearing-in of a new government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Tuesday, which won a two-thirds majority in general elections four days ago.
BNP, led by its chairman Tarique Rahman, bagged a whopping 209 out of 297 seats in the crucial 13th Parliamentary elections held on February 12.
"I call upon everyone, regardless of party, creed, religion, caste and gender, to continue the struggle to build a just, humane, and democratic Bangladesh. With this appeal, I bid farewell with great optimism," Yunus said.
Yunus, who ran the country as the outgoing regime&rsquo;s chief adviser, effectively the prime minister, said Bangladesh&rsquo;s open sea was its great &ldquo;strategic asset&rdquo;, creating huge economic opportunities in the region for the South Asian nation.
He emphasised the vast growth potential of broader regional cooperation encompassing Nepal, Bhutan, and &ldquo;northeastern India&rdquo;.
"Our open sea is not merely a geographical boundary; it is a gateway to the global economy," he said, adding that connectivity was central to the country's next phase of development.
Yunus said that his administration exhausted its efforts to &ldquo;ensure democratic rights and values&rdquo; and formulated some 130 new laws, amended other laws, and issued 600 executive orders, about 84 per cent of which have been implemented.
He said that international port management companies, against which workers waged massive protests, and which critics said were against Bangladeshi interests, would raise the efficiency of the facilities to global standards.
"We have come a long way in signing agreements with leading international port management companies to bring our ports' efficiency up to international standards. If we cannot increase efficiency, we will lag behind in economic achievements," he said.
Earlier in the day, Yunus met with senior bureaucrats and participated in a photo session with all those serving at his office.
Bangladesh's Chief of Army Staff Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman also paid a farewell visit to him.
Yunus thanked the Army chief for the cooperation of the armed forces during the general election.
On Sunday, Yunus held the last meeting of his advisory council or cabinet.
Under Yunus's tenure, Dhaka's relations with New Delhi witnessed a significant downturn.
India has been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh. The community has faced a series of attacks, some fatal, after the killing of radical youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi in December.
Several foreign experts said Bangladesh earned little in foreign relations under Yunus' leadership, while ties with its immediate neighbour, India, saw their lowest ebb.
Executive director of thinktank Centre for Policy Dialogue Fahmida Khatun said political strains with India under Yunus spilled into economic ties, &ldquo;preventing the easing of tariff and non-tariff barriers that could boost bilateral trade&rdquo;.
Foreign relations analyst Mustafizur Rahman said under Yunus, relations with India became strained, while ties with Pakistan marked a sudden positive development without building a domestic political consensus on these shifts.
&ldquo;Whatever he (Yunus) said or called in his farewell address, his regime, apparently with a deliberate effort, divided further an already polarised Bangladesh, leaving behind a fragile political scenario, promoting far right elements,&rdquo; security and political analyst Nasir Uddin said.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has claimed victory in the 13th parliamentary elections, with early tallies showing it crossing the majority mark in the 300-seat House. The Election Commission is yet to formally announce the final results.

BNP heading for victory in Bangladesh's parliamentary election

Bangladesh Nationalist Party appeared set for a decisive majority in the 300-seat parliament as vote counting progressed, potentially replacing the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has claimed victory in the 13th parliamentary elections, with early tallies showing it crossing the majority mark in the 300-seat House. The Election Commission is yet to formally announce the final results.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday claimed victory in the crucial general elections, marred by sporadic incidents of violence, to elect a new government to replace the interim administration, which took charge after the fall of the Awami League regime in August 2024.
"The Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP is set to form the government after victory in the majority of seats," BNP's media cell posted on x.
The Election Commission (EC) is yet to make a formal announcement.
According to multiple media reports, EC is expected to declare BNP the winner in the general elections with tallies in predawn hours on Friday, suggesting it got majority seats in parliament.
Different media tallies suggested BNP received more than 151 seats in the 300-seat parliament on Thursday&rsquo;s daylong voting, fair enough to form the next government, ending the 18-month rule of Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.
According to an EC spokesperson, the results in several seats are still being processed and are likely to be announced in a few hours.
The congratulatory messages have already started pouring in for the BNP, while the EC is yet to announce the official results.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on his &ldquo;decisive victory&rdquo; in Bangladesh's parliamentary elections and said he looked forward to working with him to advance common development goals.
&ldquo;I convey my warm congratulations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh,&rdquo; Modi said in a post on X.
Modi said Rahman&rsquo;s victory showed the trust of the people of Bangladesh in his leadership.
The US Embassy in Dhaka has congratulated the people of Bangladesh in advance on what it described as a successful national election, extending special recognition to BNP and Rahman for their "historic victory."
&ldquo;Congratulations to the people of Bangladesh on a successful election and to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Tarique Rahman on your historic victory. The United States looks forward to working with you to realise shared goals of prosperity and security for both our countries,&rdquo; the post read.
The election was seen as a direct contest between the BNP and its former ally Jamaat-e-Islami, in the absence of ousted premier Sheikh Hasina's now debarred Awami League.
The voting for the 13th parliamentary elections was held along with a referendum on the implementation of a complex 84-point reform package, known as the July National Charter.
BNP was in power last time between 2001 and 2006 when Jamaat was its crucial partner, with two of its leaders serving as ministers.
Jamaat has raised allegations of "abnormal delays" and "result tampering," warning that it would launch a tough movement if the public mandate were "snatched away".
Speaking to reporters at the Election Commission building early morning, Jamaat&rsquo;s assistant secretary general Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair alleged that returning officers were intentionally delaying results to favour a "particular party."
"In the seats contested by our top leaders, results should have been declared by 8 pm or 9 pm according to the signed sheets given to polling agents," Zubair said.
Jamaat&rsquo;s major ally in an 11-party right-wing alliance, the National Citizen Party (NCP), floated with interim government chief Muhammad Yunus last year, also brought allegations of &ldquo;result tampering and planned fraud&rdquo; in multiple Dhaka seats in particular.
"Psychological pressure and administrative manipulation were being used to overturn results, particularly in constituencies contested by top leaders of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance," NCP spokesman and party&rsquo;s election committee chairman Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan said in a predawn briefing.
Bhuiiyan, who until recently served as an adviser or minister in Yunus&rsquo; interim cabinet, particularly alleged discrepancies in a Dhaka constituency, claiming that although NCP candidate Nahid Islam was leading by nearly 6,000 votes, the returning officer showed a margin of only 1,500 votes in the seat.
The BNP had earlier announced that if it wins the election, then its chairman and former premier Khaleda Zia's son, Tarique Rahman, would be the next prime minister of Bangladesh.
If the party wins, Rahman will be Bangladesh's first male prime minister in 35 years.
"We are confident of forming the government by winning more than two-thirds of seats," BNP's central election steering committee spokesman Mahdi Amin told a media briefing in the early hours of Friday.
Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh in December last year after over 17 years in self-exile, asked party leaders and activists to offer special prayers across the country after mid-day 'Juma' prayers instead of holding victory rallies.
The EC was yet to announce the voter turnout figure. It dismissed allegations of manipulation regarding voters' appearances in polling centres.
"There were debates over turnout percentages in past elections as well. Please don't question it now," Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasur Uddin told a reporter on Thursday evening.
He said variations were natural as results from several thousand polling centres arrived at different times.
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Thursday said 47.91 per cent of voters had cast ballots by 2 pm on polling day at 36,031 of the 42,651 polling centres.
More than 2,000 candidates, including a number of independents, were in the fray for 299 of the 300 parliamentary constituencies that went to the polls.
Polling for one seat was postponed due to the death of a candidate.
The Election Commission made elaborate security arrangements for the elections, deploying nearly 1 million security personnel -- the largest-ever in the country's electoral history.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated BNP leader Tarique Rahman on his decisive victory in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections and expressed hope to strengthen bilateral ties and advance shared development goals.

Modi Congratulates Tarique Rahman on BNP's Electoral Triumph

Modi Congratulates Tarique Rahman on BNP Victory

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated BNP leader Tarique Rahman on his decisive victory in Bangladesh&rsquo;s parliamentary elections and expressed hope to strengthen bilateral ties and advance shared development goals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday warmly greeted Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman on his &ldquo;decisive victory&rdquo; in Bangladesh's parliamentary elections and said he looked forward to working with him to advance common development goals.
&ldquo;I convey my warm congratulations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh,&rdquo; Modi said in a post on X.&nbsp;
Modi said Rahman&rsquo;s victory showed the trust of the people of Bangladesh in his leadership.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I convey my warm congratulations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership. India will continue to stand in support of a democratic,&hellip;
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/2022151824242094312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2026</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&ldquo;India will continue to stand in support of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals,&rdquo; Modi said.
The BNP on Friday claimed victory in the general elections in Bangladesh to replace the interim administration, which took charge after the collapse of the Awami League regime in August 2024.&nbsp;

Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Aminul Islam will attend the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match in Colombo, hoping to ease tensions with the BCCI amid recent disputes involving ICC decisions.

BCB Chief Aims to Mend Ties with BCCI at India-Pakistan T20 Clash

BCB Chief Mends Fences with BCCI at T20 Clash

Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Aminul Islam will attend the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match in Colombo, hoping to ease tensions with the BCCI amid recent disputes involving ICC decisions.

Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Aminul Islam says he will be in Colombo to watch the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash on Sunday where he expects to break ice with the BCCI after tense exchanges over the past few weeks.
Speaking to Bangladesh newspaper 'Pratham Alo', Islam said the invitation for the high-profile game has come from the ICC.
"The ICC has taken a decision. The major stakeholders of the ICC are these five Asian countries and for the India-Pakistan World Cup match on the 15th, they want representatives of all five Asian countries to be present at the ground together, watch the match together and talk to one another," Islam said.
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan form the Asian block in the world body.
Asked if the meet could be an opportunity to end tensions with the BCCI, Islam said, "You can consider it as something like that."
The BCCI-BCB strife started after the Indian Board ordered the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL contract with Kolkata Knight Riders for unspecified "developments all around."
It was widely speculated that the move was triggered by political violence in Bangladesh in which Hindus have been targeted.
Bangladesh responded by refusing to travel to India for their World Cup matches citing security worries.
However, the ICC, led by former BCCI secretary Jay Shah, rejected their concerns, describing the threat perception as low to moderate after its own assessment.
Bangladesh were eventually replaced by Scotland in the tournament after refusing to budge from their position despite lengthy discussions with the world body.
Their omission led to the Pakistan government announcing a boycott of the game against India as an expression of solidarity with Bangladesh.
But the impasse was resolved after the BCB and the Sri Lankan government persuaded Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to withdraw the call.
Following another round of discussions, the ICC decided not to penalise BCB for its previous stance and also allotted one ICC event to Bangladesh in the 2028-2031 cycle.
Islam said the board will prepare a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure that the assurances are cast in stone.
"We will also enter into an agreement. The agreement will be line by line, an MoU-type document, so that there is no uncertainty," said Islam.
"You know that earlier when we held the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Annual General Meeting in Dhaka, a similar issue arose. There as well, we prepared a MoU-type document so that no one could ever deviate from the contract in any way.
"Similar discussions (regarding preparing the MoU) with the ICC are more or less finalised," he added.

Bangladesh holds its 13th parliamentary elections with nearly 1 million security personnel deployed. Voting also coincides with a referendum on an 84-point reform package.

Voting underway in Bangladesh’s crucial general election amid tight security

Bangladesh holds its 13th parliamentary elections with nearly 1 million security personnel deployed. Voting also coincides with a referendum on an 84-point reform package.

Voting began on Thursday morning in Bangladesh's crucial general election -- the first since the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina in massive nationwide protests in August 2024.
The voting started in 299 out of 300 parliamentary constituencies across the country from 7:30 am (local time) and will continue until 4:30 pm.
The counting of votes is expected to begin shortly after the voting concludes.
Voting in one constituency has been cancelled due to the death of a candidate.
The 13th parliamentary elections are being held simultaneously along with a referendum on a complex 84-point reform package.
The Election Commission has made elaborate security arrangements, deploying nearly 1 million security personnel -- the largest-ever in the country's electoral history.
The contest is mainly between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its once ally Jamaat-e-Islami, in the absence of Hasina's now-disbanded Awami League.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus' interim government last year disbanded the Awami League and barred it from contesting the polls.
A total of 1,755 candidates from 50 political parties and 273 independents are contesting the election.
The BNP has fielded the highest number of 291 candidates.
There are 83 female candidates.
Yunus, who has promised to quickly transfer power to the elected government, has urged the political parties, candidates and other concerned parties to maintain restraint, tolerance and democratic behaviour on the polling day.
In a televised address to the nation on the eve of the polling, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin called upon the voters to cast their votes freely.
He urged political parties, candidates, and voters to maintain a peaceful and cordial environment.
He said that representatives from 45 countries and organisations, including election management bodies and international institutions, are observing the polls.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Machud said nearly 9,00,000 law enforcement personnel have been deployed to ensure security during the election, state-run BSS news agency reported.
Authorities have deployed Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Rapid Action Teams (RATs) across key areas of the capital.
Police said they have provided a list of risk-prone polling centres to the EC, which showed that out of 2,131 polling centres in Dhaka, 1,614 were risk-prone.
However, the army said they have identified two centres in Dhaka city to be "risky".
For the first time, drones and body-worn cameras are being used for election security.
EC data showed that first-time voters made up some 3.58 per cent of the nearly 127 million voters.
For the first time, nearly 8,00,000 expatriate Bangladeshis, who have registered with the poll body, will be able to vote through an IT-based postal ballot system.
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has called upon all citizens to exercise their franchise by going to their respective polling stations and casting their votes for candidates of their choice.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Rahman said, "Dear pro-democracy brothers and sisters, I request everyone to exercise their voting rights in a festive and peaceful environment. Vote for whomever you deem fit. Vote according to your own choice, and ensure your state rights and ownership."
"Insha'Allah, from tomorrow, your Members of Parliament will take on the responsibility of serving you. I will take on the duty of ensuring that every victorious candidate of the sheaf of paddy (Dhaner Shis) properly fulfills their responsibilities," he added.
Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser to the interim government, speaking to reporters after voting, described the day as one of &ldquo;great joy,&rdquo; calling it &ldquo;the birthday of the new Bangladesh.&rdquo;
He said the nation had &ldquo;completely renounced the nightmarish past&rdquo; and urged citizens to participate in both the parliamentary election and the referendum.
He concluded his remarks by extending greetings to the nation, saying &ldquo;Eid Mubarak.&rdquo;
Meanwhile, there have been reports of overnight clashes in Bangladesh.
Three persons have been arrested by police on allegations of distributing ballot paper photocopies among activists of a party at Kalai area of northwestern Joypurhat, Ittefaq newspaper reported.
The Daily Star reported &ldquo;ballot stuffing allegations spark clash between Jamaat and BNP activists&rdquo; in northeastern Sylhet&rsquo;s Balaganj sub-district where a local Jamaat leader and several others entered a polling centre at around midnight when BNP activists rushed resulting in scuffles requiring security interventions.
The BNP nominee there alleged ballot stamping had begun at 11:00pm with the presiding officer's help.
In capital Dhaka, police arrested a Jamaat leader over buying votes while crude bombs were exploded near seven polling centres in southwestern Gopalganj hours before voting.
In a midnight Faceboook statement, Jamaat Ameer or chief Shafiqur Rahman called the incidents as &ldquo;rumours&rdquo; urging people to ignore them saying &ldquo;dear countrymen, a &lsquo;laylatul gujob&rsquo; (night of rumours) is underway, don&rsquo;t pay a heed to them&rdquo;.

Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul said the decision to skip T20 World Cup matches in India was taken by the Cricket Board and players to protect national dignity, as the ICC decided not to impose sanctions.

Bangladesh sports advisor takes u-turn on World Cup boycott, says decision was for 'national dignity'

Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul said the decision to skip T20 World Cup matches in India was taken by the Cricket Board and players to protect national dignity, as the ICC decided not to impose sanctions.

Bangladesh's sports advisor Asif Nazrul, who had insisted that the country's refusal to play its T20 World Cup matches in India was driven by his government's security concerns, now says that the decision was taken by the Cricket Board and the players to "protect national dignity".&nbsp;
Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland after the ICC declined the country's request of shifting its share of games to Sri Lanka. However, the world body has decided against penalising the nation for its stance.&nbsp;
Nazrul took centre-stage during the failed negotiations with the ICC prior to the team's ouster and had insisted that it was the Bangladesh government's prerogative to not send the team out of security worries.&nbsp;
"There is no question of regret (not playing the World Cup). This decision was taken by the BCB and the players as they made sacrifices for the safety of the country's cricket, the safety of the people and to protect national dignity," Asif was quoted as saying by 'Cricbuzz' on Tuesday.&nbsp;
Last month, Nazrul, after talks with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the players, had taken a hard-line position. "I think we did not get justice from ICC. Whether we will play in the World Cup or not is entirely a government decision," he had asserted on January 22.&nbsp;
In the aftermath of their ouster, Pakistan had announced a boycott of the game against India to show solidarity with Bangladesh. However, that impasse was resolved after hectic negotiations that also involved the BCB.&nbsp;
Bangladesh, while expressing gratitude towards Pakistan, asked them to show up for the match against India in the larger interest of the game. The Pakistan government eventually withdrew the boycott call.&nbsp;
"The ICC has said there will be no sanctions and that Bangladesh will be considered for hosting an international tournament. This is a brilliant achievement. I salute the Bangladesh Cricket Board," Nazrul said.&nbsp;

Bangladesh’s Election Commission has identified more than half of polling centres as risk-prone for the general elections, with 90% under CCTV surveillance and nearly one million security personnel deployed nationwide.

Bangladesh elections: Over 50% polling centres considered 'risky', CCTV installed at most stations

Bangladesh&rsquo;s Election Commission has identified more than half of polling centres as risk-prone for the general elections, with 90% under CCTV surveillance and nearly one million security personnel deployed nationwide.

More than half the polling centres have been identified as "risk-prone" for the general elections in Bangladesh, as officials said 90 per cent of them will be under CCTV surveillance, with many policemen deployed in the capital, Dhaka, wearing body cameras.
Officials said the Election Commission's security system is based on risk assessment. &ldquo;Security deployment is being made based on local sensitivity assessments,&rdquo; Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah told a media briefing late Tuesday.
EC officials said the elections would witness the largest-ever deployment of law enforcement personnel and the most extensive use of technology in the country's electoral history.
Sanaullah said the poll body expected law enforcement agencies to ensure a peaceful atmosphere for voters during polling and after elections. He said the EC was largely satisfied with the current law-and-order situation and &ldquo;compared to any time in the past, we are in a better position now&rdquo;.
His comments came hours after the police Inspector General Baharul Alam said they found 24,000 out of nearly 43,000 polling centres across the country were &ldquo;high&rdquo; or &ldquo;moderate&rdquo; risk-prone election stations.
Police said they provided a list of risk-prone polling centres to the EC, which showed that out of 2,131 polling centres in Dhaka, 1,614 were risk-prone. However, the army, in a media briefing earlier, said they have identified two centres in Dhaka city to be "risky".
Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah on Tuesday said nearly 958,000 law enforcement personnel have been deployed across the country to ensure a free, fair and impartial national election and referendum on Thursday.
"Additionally, for the first time, UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), drones, and body-worn cameras are being used for election security," he told a press briefing on overall election preparations at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon.
He said voting will be held in 299 constituencies on Thursday. Voting in Sherpur-3 has been postponed due to the death of a candidate there.
A total of 2,098 executive magistrates and 657 judicial magistrates will discharge duties in the election filed.
The Election Commissioner said, "For the first time, UAVs, drones, and body-worn cameras are being used for law enforcement. Around 25,000 body-worn cameras will be deployed on the field. Some of these are IP-based for live feed, while others will record locally. Moreover, for continuous monitoring, CCTV cameras have already been installed in over 90% of centres."
He said voting will continue from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. However, voters present within the polling center by 4:30 pm will still be allowed to vote.
He said voting will be held in a total of 42,659 centres.
EC data showed that first-time voters made up some 3.58 per cent of the total 1,27,700,597 voters. The polls are being held simultaneously along with a referendum on a complex 84-point reform package.
The contest is mainly between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its once ally, Jamaat-e-Islami. Chief adviser Muhammad Yunus&rsquo; interim government last year disbanded deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s Awami League and barred it from contesting the polls.
A series of pre-poll surveys conducted in the past two months by consulting firms, research organisations and think tanks suggest that the BNP was the frontrunner and that its new chairman, Tarique Rahman, is in pole position to be the next prime minister.
Hasina&rsquo;s Awami League government was ousted in a student-led violent street protest, dubbed the July Uprising, on August 5, 2024.

Bangladesh has secured a reduced 19% tariff under a new trade agreement with the US, granting zero duty on select garments using American materials and boosting exporters.

US trims tariffs on Bangladesh to 19 per cent

Bangladesh has secured a reduced 19% tariff under a new trade agreement with the US, granting zero duty on select garments using American materials and boosting exporters.

Bangladesh has secured a reduced 19 per cent tariff under a trade agreement with the United States that would exempt some textiles and garments manufactured with US materials, interim government chief Muhammad Yunus said.
In an X post on Monday, he said Washington had "committed to establishing a mechanism for certain textile and apparel goods from Bangladesh using US-produced cotton and man-made fibre to receive zero reciprocal tariff in (the) US market".
Yunus, known for his pro-US stance, said the deal was reached after nine months of negotiations since April last year.
Meanwhile, the US Treasury Department or any office of the Trump administration made no immediate comment on the development.
According to Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Bangladesh&rsquo;s key export-earning ready-made garments (RMG) made from cotton and synthetic fibres imported from the US would enjoy zero reciprocal duty under the deal.
He said the agreement was signed in Washington by Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer.
Commerce ministry officials said apart from cotton, the deal includes provisions for importing US wheat, soybean, and LNG, refraining from imposing tariffs on e-commerce, complying with US-mandated intellectual property rights standards, and supporting US proposals for reforming the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Bangladesh recently agreed to purchase 25 aircraft from US aerospace giant Boeing, with an estimated cost of Tk 30,000-35,000 crore as part of broader efforts to ease the US tariffs.
According to Bangladesh&rsquo;s Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the US remains Bangladesh's largest export market.
The South Asian nation in August last year secured a reduction in US tariffs on its exports to 20 per cent, down from 37 per cent initially proposed by Washington.
Bangladeshi policymakers earlier said they expected the tariff could be brought down to 15 per cent.
Business analysts, however, said the deal offered much-needed relief to Bangladesh&rsquo;s apparel exporters as the RMG sector accounts for more than 80 per cent of its export earnings and employs some 4 million workers, mostly women, and contributes about 10 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP).
The US earlier this month announced to lower tariffs to 18 per cent from 50 per cent for India, seeking New Delhi to halt Russian oil purchases and lower trade barriers.
The commerce secretary said the recently concluded US-India trade deal might have influenced Washington's decision to cut the tariff &ldquo;possibly due to geopolitical considerations&rdquo;.
Bangladesh's closest competitor, Vietnam, received a 20 per cent reciprocal tariff, while Pakistan, Cambodia and Indonesia have also been subjected to a 19 per cent tariff.
The development comes as Bangladesh heads for the February 12 general election to choose new leadership and bring an end to the 18-month Yunus-led interim regime, which took charge after the fall of Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s Awami League government following a violent student-led street campaign dubbed the July Uprising.

The ICC announced no penalty for the Bangladesh Cricket Board over its refusal to play T20 World Cup matches in India, citing dialogue, neutrality, and future hosting commitments.

ICC not to sanction Bangladesh for refusal to play T20 World Cup in India

The ICC announced no penalty for the Bangladesh Cricket Board over its refusal to play T20 World Cup matches in India, citing dialogue, neutrality, and future hosting commitments.

The ICC on Monday said it would not be imposing any penalty on the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for refusing to play its T20 World Cup matches in India.&nbsp;
The world governing body said it made the decision after a dialogue with the BCB as well as the Pakistan Cricket Board, which announced a boycott of the February 15 game against India to show its solidarity with Bangladesh.
"It is agreed that no financial, sporting or administrative penalty will be imposed on Bangladesh Cricket Board in relation to the current matter," the ICC said in a statement. "It is acknowledged that BCB retains the right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), should it choose to do so. This right exists under current ICC regulations and remains intact."
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The International Cricket Council, Pakistan Cricket Board and Bangladesh Cricket Board have concluded an open, constructive and congenial dialogue. Media Release: <a href="https://t.co/gLDIjB3JOp">https://t.co/gLDIjB3JOp</a>
&mdash; ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/2020916613462229482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2026</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The ICC said its "approach is guided by its principles of neutrality and fairness and reflects the shared objective of facilitative support rather than punishment."
Bangladesh had refused to travel to India for the ongoing mega-event citing security worries and were replaced by Scotland.
The world body also said that as part of an understanding, Bangladesh will also host an ICC Event between 2028 and 2031. "As part of this understanding, an agreement has been reached that Bangladesh will host an ICC event prior to the ICC Men&rsquo;s Cricket World Cup 2031, subject to the usual ICC hosting processes, timelines and operational requirements."
ICC said the move "reflects confidence in Bangladesh&rsquo;s capability as a host and reinforces the ICC&rsquo;s commitment to providing meaningful hosting opportunities across its membership to develop cricket in the country."
ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said: "Bangladesh&rsquo;s absence from the ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup is regrettable, but it does not alter the ICC&rsquo;s enduring commitment to Bangladesh as a core cricketing nation.
"Our focus continues to be on working closely with key stakeholders including BCB to ensure the sport grows sustainably in the country and that future opportunities for its players and fans are strengthened.
"Bangladesh remains a priority cricket ecosystem deserving of long-term investment in its development, competitiveness and global integration, and is not defined by short-term disruptions.&rdquo;
BCB president Aminul Islam had travelled to Pakistan on Sunday for discussions, including a virtual meeting with the ICC and the PCB, amid efforts to resolve the standoff.
In a statement issued in Dhaka earlier in the day, Islam said he had requested Pakistan to end its boycott of the T20 World Cup match against India, during his meeting with PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi in Lahore.
"Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket eco system," he said.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, Naqvi had reached out to Islam and requested that he make a formal appeal to Pakistan.
"Bulbul was called by Naqvi to request that he issues a formal appeal to Pakistan to play the game (against India) and that was a respectable way of wriggling out of the mess," a source aware of the development said.
PCB chief Naqvi on Monday said a final decision on whether Pakistan would boycott the match against India would be clear within the next 24 hours, acknowledging hectic deliberations with the ICC that also involved his Bangladesh counterpart Islam.
The trigger for Bangladesh's refusal to play in India was the release of their pacer Mustafziur Rahman from the KKR squad on BCCI's instructions.
ICC reaffirms BCB's position as a valued Full Member
The ICC said it has concluded an "an open, constructive and congenial dialogue" with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). It said the dialogue covered several matters, including but not limited to the ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup 2026 and the broader outlook for cricket in South Asia.
"While reflecting on the Bangladesh cricket team&rsquo;s unfortunate absence from the ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup, the global governing body for cricket reaffirmed BCB's position as a valued Full Member, with a proud cricketing history and a vital role in the growth of the global game.
"The ICC also reiterated its continued facilitation of growth in one of cricket&rsquo;s most vibrant markets, with more than 200 million passionate fans to ensure that the national team's non-participation in ICC Men's T20 World Cup does not have any long-term effects on Cricket in the country," the world body said.
It said the dialogue reflected a forward-looking alignment reached in good faith and intended to provide clarity on the current position of the stakeholders.
"They do not alter, qualify or detract from the ICC&rsquo;s constitutional autonomy, governance framework or established decision-making processes, all of which remain fully applicable," said the ICC.
"The ICC, PCB and BCB, along with other Members, remain committed to continued dialogue, cooperation and constructive engagement in the best interests of the sport. All stakeholders acknowledge that the spirit of this understanding is to protect the integrity of the game and preserve unity within the cricket fraternity."

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defended the decision to skip the T20 World Cup match against India, calling it a considered move in support of Bangladesh.

Decision to boycott India game appropriate, we're with Bangladesh: Pak PM Sharif

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defended the decision to skip the T20 World Cup match against India, calling it a considered move in support of Bangladesh.

Calling Pakistan's boycott of their T20 World Cup match against India an "appropriate decision, the country's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that it was a "considered stance" to support Bangladesh.
Pakistan's cricket team has been told by the government to skip the February 15 game in Colombo after Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland for refusing to play its games in India on account of "security concerns".
"We have taken a very clear stand on the T20 World Cup that we won't play the match against India because there should be no politics on the sports field,&rdquo; Sharif stated after a government meeting in Karachi.
"We have taken a very considered stance, and we should completely stand by Bangladesh, and I think this is a very appropriate decision. We are with Bangladesh," he added.
In response, Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul posted "Thank You, Pakistan" on his official Facebook page, while quoting Sharif's statement.
A livid ICC has warned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of serious consequences if it fails to show up for the high-profile match, which is a money magnet at the big event for sponsors, broadcasters and advertisers.
The world body has hoped that the PCB will "consider the significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country as this is likely to impact the global cricket ecosystem, which it is itself a member and beneficiary of."
Pakistan has reached Colombo for its other preliminary engagements, starting with a game against the Netherlands on Saturday.
The country's cricket board has already made it clear that it supports the government's position and would go by its advice even if a rematch against India crops up during the knockout stage.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi had stated that the decision to drop Bangladesh was not fair and their security concerns should have been addressed.
The ICC's security assessment of Indian venues had placed the threat perception for Bangladesh in the low to moderate category.
Bangladesh's refusal to travel to India for its share of matches came after its pacer Mustafizur Rahman was ousted from the IPL on BCCI's instructions.
The Indian Board did not specify the reasons but it came amid increased attacks on Hindus there.

A Bangladesh court has sentenced former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in prison in two corruption cases linked to irregular land allocations.

Bangladesh court sentences Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in corruption cases

A Bangladesh court has sentenced former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in prison in two corruption cases linked to irregular land allocations.

A Bangladesh court on Monday sentenced deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in two separate corruption cases related to alleged irregularities in allocations of land in a government housing project.
Dhaka Special Judge&rsquo;s Court-4 Judge Rabiul Alam handed down the verdicts, sentencing Hasina to a total of 10 years&rsquo; imprisonment &mdash; five years in each case, state-run BSS news agency reported.
The court sentenced 78-year-old Hasina, her nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and her nieces, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, and others in the cases over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Rajuk New Town Project in Purbachol.
The judgment was pronounced at around 12.30 pm.
Tulip Siddiq was sentenced to four years&rsquo; imprisonment &mdash; two years in each case &mdash; while Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq were each sentenced to seven years&rsquo; imprisonment in both cases.
Rajuk member Mohammad Khurshid Alam, the only accused to surrender before the court, was sentenced to one year&rsquo;s imprisonment in each case, totalling two years.
The court also fined all convicted persons Tk1 lakh each and ordered them to serve an additional six months in prison in default of payment.
Hasina has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of the massive protests.
She was earlier declared a fugitive by the court.
The cases were filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged abuse of power in the allocation of two 10-katha plots.
According to the prosecution, the accused manipulated the allocation process and violated existing rules and regulations of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).

Bangladesh have declined to tour India for the T20 World Cup after the ICC rejected their request for a venue change, raising the possibility of Scotland replacing them.

Bangladesh refuse to travel to India for T20 World Cup over security concerns

Bangladesh have declined to tour India for the T20 World Cup after the ICC rejected their request for a venue change, raising the possibility of Scotland replacing them.

A defiant Bangladesh on Thursday refused to send its national cricket team for next month's T20 World Cup in India after the ICC rejected its demand for a change of venue, effectively paving the way for Scotland to take the country's place.
Bangladesh had been served an ultimatum by the world body on Wednesday to either agree to travel to India or risk being replaced as there was no credible threat to the safety of their players, officials or fans there. The country was given time till Thursday to make its decision. Scotland is next in line based on team rankings for the tournament starting February 7.
However, taking a hard-line position Bangladesh's sports advisor Asif Nazrul, after a meeting with national team players, announced that the ICC's assessment was not acceptable to them.
"While our cricketers have worked hard to qualify for the World Cup, the security risk regarding playing in India remains unchanged. This concern is not based on abstract analysis...," Nazrul said in a press conference while declaring that the country won't play in India.
"...we are not convinced that they can ensure the safety of our entire team, journalists, and spectators. "We are not giving up hope yet; our team is ready. We expect the ICC to provide justice by considering our genuine security risks and allowing us to play in Sri Lanka," he added.
Bangladesh are due to play four games in India (three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai). The country raised security concerns after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was ousted from the IPL on BCCI's instructions for unspecified "developments all around."
"It is crucial to weigh the loss of not playing against the potential catastrophe of pushing players, fans, and journalists into a risky regional political situation. This is a government decision, as the state is responsible for determining whether its citizens face security risks abroad," Nazrul asserted.
The ICC on Wednesday refused to accept its security concerns, saying that the Bangladesh Cricket Board was repeatedly linking its participation in the tournament to a "single, isolated and unrelated development concerning one of its player's involvement in a domestic league."
"In the absence of any independent security findings that materially compromise the safety of the Bangladesh team, the ICC is unable to relocate fixtures," the ICC had stated.
"Doing so would carry significant logistical and scheduling consequences for other teams and fans worldwide, and would also create far-reaching precedent-related challenges that risk undermining the neutrality, fairness, and integrity of ICC governance," it added.

The ICC has denied the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s request to move its T20 World Cup fixtures from India to Sri Lanka, citing no credible security threat and warning against setting an undesirable precedent.

ICC Board votes against BCB request, Bangladesh matches to be played in India as scheduled

The ICC has denied the Bangladesh Cricket Board&rsquo;s request to move its T20 World Cup fixtures from India to Sri Lanka, citing no credible security threat and warning against setting an undesirable precedent.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday rejected the request from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to shift its team's T20 World Cup fixtures to Sri Lanka, saying the matches will proceed as scheduled since there was no credible threat to the safety of Bangladesh players, officials or fans at any of the tournament venues in India.
The decision was taken at an ICC Board meeting held via video conference, which was convened to discuss the situation after the BCB raised concerns and sought a change in venues.
"The ICC Board noted that relocating matches under the present circumstances could jeopardise the sanctity of ICC events and undermine the organisation's neutrality as a global governing body," the ICC said in a statement.
According to the ICC, the Board reviewed multiple security assessments, including independent evaluations, all of which concluded that there was no credible threat to Bangladesh players.
ICC sources told PTI that out of 16 members, 14 voted against BCB's relocation request. The ICC has given BCB one more day to reflect and take a final position.
"Of all the members, only BCB and Pakistan voted in favour of the relocation request while all other voted against it. Bangladesh was given time till January 21 to confirm its participation but they have been given one more day by the ICC Board to state their position," said the ICC source.
The ICC also said that making changes to the schedule at such a late stage was not feasible and that altering fixtures in the absence of a verified security risk could set an "undesirable precedent" for future global events.
The world governing body said its management had held a series of meetings and correspondences with the BCB in recent weeks, sharing detailed information on the tournament's security arrangements. These included venue-specific plans and assurances of layered protection involving federal and state law enforcement agencies.
BCB president Aminul Islam said he is hoping for a miracle from the ICC.
"I am hoping for a miracle from the ICC. Who doesn't want to play in the World Cup? The Bangladesh players want to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh government wants Bangladesh to play the World Cup," he was quoted as saying in a ESPNCricinfo report.
"But we don't think India is safe for our players. A government doesn't only consider the players, but they consider all, when it takes a decision."
He said he would speak to the Bangladesh government one more time on the matter.
"I asked the ICC board for time to talk to my government for one last time," Aminul said in the report.
"They said it's a valid point, and gave me 24 or 48 hours to get back to them. I don't want to put pressure on the government. We know that India is not secure for us. We remain in the stance that we want to play in Sri Lanka. I know the ICC denied us but we will talk to the government one more time. I will inform the ICC about the government's feedback."
An ICC spokesperson said the organisation had engaged in &ldquo;sustained and constructive dialogue&rdquo; with the BCB with the objective of ensuring Bangladesh&rsquo;s participation in the tournament.
"Independent security assessments, comprehensive venue-level security plans and formal assurances from host authorities consistently concluded that there is no credible or verifiable threat to the safety or security of the Bangladesh team in India," the spokesperson said.
The ICC, however, expressed concern that the BCB continued to link its participation to what it described as a "single, isolated and unrelated development&rdquo; involving one of its players' participation in a domestic league, a matter the ICC said had no bearing on the tournament&rsquo;s security framework.
The Board reiterated that venue and scheduling decisions are guided by objective threat assessments, host guarantees and agreed participation terms, which apply uniformly to all 20 teams in the competition.
"In the absence of any independent security findings that materially compromise safety, the ICC is unable to relocate fixtures. Doing so would carry significant logistical and scheduling consequences for other teams and fans worldwide, and would also create far-reaching precedent-related challenges that risk undermining the neutrality, fairness, and integrity of ICC governance," the spokesperson said.
Bangladesh government's sports advisor Asif Nazrul on Tuesday had reiterated that under no condition would the national team travel to India.
It is highly likely that if Bangladesh decide to pull out of the tournament, Scotland may replace Bangladesh as per current rankings.
The crisis was triggered by the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders' roster for this year's Indian Premier League on BCCI's instructions for unspecified "developments all around".
Citing security concerns and national pride, the BCB responded by announcing its national team won't travel to India for its T20 World Cup group stage games in Kolkata and Mumbai.
BCB wants to play each of the four group stage matches in Sri Lanka, where the marquee India-Pakistan clash will also be held as per the mutually agreed arrangement for ICC events until 2027.
In their last meeting with ICC officials in Dhaka, the BCB had proposed swapping positions with Ireland in Group B, which features tournament co-hosts Sri Lanka, Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe.
Such a move would allow Bangladesh to remain in Sri Lanka for their group engagements.
The bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh have deteriorated in recent months, exacerbated by the killings of Hindus in Bangladesh.

Pakistan Cricket Board supports Bangladesh's stance of not playing its T20 World Cup matches in India due to security concerns and offers to host the games, ahead of ICC’s final decision.

PCB backs Bangladesh's refusal to play T20WC in India, offers to host its games

Pakistan Cricket Board supports Bangladesh's stance of not playing its T20 World Cup matches in India due to security concerns and offers to host the games, ahead of ICC&rsquo;s final decision.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has backed Bangladesh's stance of refusing to play its T20 World Cup matches in India due to "security concerns" and offered to host the country's matches in a communication to the ICC.&nbsp;
The ICC Board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to take a final call on Bangladesh's participation, including whether the team will travel to India for the tournament starting February 7.&nbsp;
Bangladesh are slated to play all four of their group-stage matches in India, with the first three scheduled in Kolkata and the remaining one in Mumbai. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board, supported by its government, has remained adamant and sought a shift of its matches to co-hosts Sri Lanka.&nbsp;
"The PCB has said in the e-mail that the demand by the Bangladesh board is justified and must be accepted and that if there are any issues moving Bangladesh matches to Sri Lanka, Pakistan is ready to host all their games," a PCB source said.&nbsp;
The ICC and the BCB have held multiple discussions on the issue, including a meeting in Dhaka last weekend, but neither side has changed its position. While the ICC has insisted that the tournament be held as per schedule, the BCB has maintained that it cannot send their team to India.&nbsp;
The PCB has not made any public comment on the matter although Board sources have said that the Bangladesh government had contacted Pakistan for support in the ICC.&nbsp;
Pakistan will be playing all their matches in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model agreement with the BCCI and ICC till 2027.&nbsp;
The crisis related to Bangladesh began after Kolkata Knight Riders released pacer Mustafizur Rahman following a directive from the BCCI, which referred to "recent developments all around".&nbsp;
Subsequently, the Bangladesh government banned the broadcast of the IPL, and the BCB formally informed the ICC of its decision of not playing World Cup matches in India.&nbsp;

Bangladesh captain Litton Das said he is unsure if the team will play in next month’s T20 World Cup amid the ongoing dispute over the team’s refusal to travel to India due to security concerns.

Bangladesh Captain Litton Das Questions T20 World Cup Participation Amid Security Issues

Bangladesh's Litton Das Questions World Cup Plans

Bangladesh captain Litton Das said he is unsure if the team will play in next month&rsquo;s T20 World Cup amid the ongoing dispute over the team&rsquo;s refusal to travel to India due to security concerns.

Bangladesh captain Litton Das said he is "not sure" whether his country would be competing in next month's T20 World Cup amid the prolonged tussle over the team's refusal to play its games in India.&nbsp;
Bangladesh have declined to travel to India citing security concerns after pacer Mustafizur Rahman's ouster from the IPL on BCCI instructions. The diplomatic ties between the two countries are also tense right now due to attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.&nbsp;
"If we had known who our group opponents were (in the World Cup) or which country we were going to, that would have helped," Das was quoted as saying by 'ESPNCricinfo' after his franchise Rangpur Riders' exit from the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Tuesday.&nbsp;
"You have seen that we have announced the squad, but until now, no player knows which country we are going to or whom we will play against. Like me, the whole of Bangladesh is now uncertain." Bangladesh have demanded that their share of matches be shifted to Sri Lanka. Das, when pressed on the subject, threw a counter-question.&nbsp;
"Are you sure that we are going to the World Cup?. In reality, there is still a long time left before the World Cup, and we are not even sure whether we will go or not," he said. He, however, side-stepped queries on the currently high political tensions between India and Bangladesh. But he insisted that players will adapt to any decision taken by the Cricket Board.&nbsp;
"Many things in life are not ideal, but you have to accept them according to the situation. Playing so many matches in the BPL was not ideal either, but we still had to play," he said.&nbsp;

The Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly supported Bangladesh’s decision to skip its T20 World Cup group-stage matches in India due to “security concerns,” ahead of the ICC Board meeting to finalize participation.

PCB Supports Bangladesh's Decision to Skip T20 WC Matches in India

PCB Endorses Bangladesh Stance on T20 WC

The Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly supported Bangladesh&rsquo;s decision to skip its T20 World Cup group-stage matches in India due to &ldquo;security concerns,&rdquo; ahead of the ICC Board meeting to finalize participation.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has reportedly backed Bangladesh's stance of refusing to play its T20 World Cup matches in India due to "security concerns" in a communication to the ICC.
The ICC Board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to take a final call on Bangladesh's participation in the T20 World Cup, including whether the team will travel to India for the tournament starting February 7.
Bangladesh are slated to play all four of their group-stage matches in India, with the first three scheduled in Kolkata and the remaining one in Mumbai.
However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board, supported by its government, has remained adamant and sought a shift of its matches to co-hosts Sri Lanka.
On the eve of the ICC meeting, the PCB wrote to the global body stating that it supports the BCB's stance, citing political instability in the region and has copied all ICC Board members on the letter, according to 'ESPNCricinfo'.
The ICC and the BCB have held multiple discussions on the issue, including a meeting in Dhaka last weekend, but neither side has changed its position.
While the ICC has insisted that the tournament be held as per schedule, the BCB has maintained that it cannot send their team to India.
The PCB has not made any public comment on the matter although Board sources have said that the Bangladesh government had contacted Pakistan for support in the ICC.
Pakistan will be playing all their matches in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model agreement with the BCCI and ICC till 2027.
The crisis related to Bangladesh began after Kolkata Knight Riders released pacer Mustafizur Rahman following a directive from the BCCI, which referred to "recent developments all around".
Subsequently, the Bangladesh government banned the broadcast of the IPL, and the BCB formally informed the ICC of its decision of not playing World Cup matches in India.

India has decided to withdraw families of its diplomats from Bangladesh as a precautionary measure amid rising security concerns ahead of parliamentary elections, while diplomatic missions remain operational.

India decides to withdraw families of its officials in Bangladesh

India has decided to withdraw families of its diplomats from Bangladesh as a precautionary measure amid rising security concerns ahead of parliamentary elections, while diplomatic missions remain operational.

India on Tuesday decided to withdraw the families of Indian officials posted in Bangladesh in view of the security scenario in that country. New Delhi's move comes weeks before parliamentary elections are to be held in Bangladesh.
Given the security situation, as a precautionary measure, we have advised the dependents of our officials in high commission and posts to return to India, official sources said.
The mission and all posts in Bangladesh continue to remain open and operational, they said.
Apart from the high commission in Dhaka, India has diplomatic posts in Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi and Sylhet.
It is not immediately known when the families of the diplomats and other officials will return to India.
It is learnt that India has decided to make Bangladesh a "non-family" destination for Indian diplomats and officials in view of safety concerns following increasing activities of extremist elements in that country.
In the neighbourhood, Pakistan is also a "non-family" destination for Indian diplomats and officials.
The relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus came to power following the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government in August, 2024.
India has been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in that country.

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