Bangladesh's interim chief Muhammad Yunus stated in his farewell address on February 16, 2026, that the country is no longer a nation with a submissive foreign policy. He proposed regional cooperation involving Nepal, Bhutan, and India's northeastern states but did not directly name India. The address came a day before the swearing-in of a new government led by BNP leader Tarique Rahman.
In his farewell address to the nation on February 16, 2026, Muhammad Yunus claimed that his 18-month interim regime had restored three core pillars of Bangladesh's external engagement: sovereignty, national interests, and dignity. He stated, "Bangladesh is no longer a country with a submissive foreign policy or dependent on the instructions and advice of other countries." Yunus's tenure, which began in August 2024, is set to end on February 17, 2026, with the swearing-in of a new government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The BNP, chaired by Tarique Rahman, secured 209 out of 297 seats in the general elections held on February 12. Rahman will take the oath as prime minister at 3:30 PM administered by the president, while MPs' swearing-in is scheduled for 9:30 AM at the parliament building.
In the address, Yunus described Bangladesh's open sea as a "gateway to the global economy" and highlighted vast growth potential in regional cooperation encompassing Nepal, Bhutan, and "northeastern India." He said, "Our open sea is not merely a geographical boundary; it is a gateway to the global economy." During his tenure, 130 new laws were enacted, others amended, and 600 executive orders issued, with about 84 percent implemented.
Discussing agreements with international port management companies, Yunus noted they would elevate port efficiency to global standards. Army Chief Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman paid a farewell visit, and Yunus thanked the armed forces for their cooperation during the elections.
India will be represented at the swearing-in by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is engaged in Mumbai with French President Emmanuel Macron for the AI Impact Summit and other meetings. The Ministry of External Affairs described the speaker's presence as a symbol of deep friendship between the two countries and India's commitment to democratic values. Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi deteriorated during Yunus's tenure amid India's concerns over attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus.
Following the election results on February 13, Yunus's special assistant Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb departed for Germany, sparking rumors of "safe exits" by aides, though reports have dismissed these claims.
