DHAKA, Feb 17, (V7N) - UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) and Minister for Equalities Seema Malhotra paid a courtesy call on newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his Sangsad Bhaban office after he took oath as the 11th Prime Minister of Bangladesh at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Malhotra, who arrived in Dhaka to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet led by Tarique Rahman, held a meeting with the premier in the presence of his daughter Zaima Rahman, new minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and officials concerned.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma also paid courtesy calls on the newly sworn-in prime minister at his office following the oath-taking ceremony, reflecting the continued diplomatic engagement with the new government.

Meanwhile, world leaders congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on assuming office and expressed hope for stability, prosperity and democratic progress under his leadership after the BNP’s victory in the 13th parliamentary elections.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm congratulations and expressed his desire to work closely with the new government to further deepen Dhaka-Delhi relations, describing the victory as a reflection of the people’s trust and confidence in Rahman’s leadership.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang also congratulated the new premier, reaffirming Beijing’s commitment to strengthening high-quality cooperation and advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries.

From Islamabad, President Asif Ali Zardari termed Rahman’s premiership the beginning of a new chapter in Bangladesh’s history and hoped the new government would play a positive role in promoting regional peace and progress.

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other global leaders also sent congratulatory messages, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation with Bangladesh.

United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative Stefan Liller also conveyed his good wishes, saying it was an honour to witness the swearing-in ceremony of the new government.

Congratulatory messages further poured in from leaders across South Asia and beyond, including Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, underscoring strong international engagement with the new administration.

END/AJ/RH