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Dhaka, February 13, 2026: Leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to a sweeping victory, Tarique Rahman is poised to become the country’s next Prime Minister. Returning from 17 years in exile on December 25, 2025, Rahman immediately revitalized the BNP, securing wins in Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6. Unofficial results indicate BNP’s alliance has won 181 of the 300 contested parliamentary seats—well above the 151 needed for a majority—while the Jamaat-led coalition secured 61 seats and the Islamic Movement managed only one. Who Is Tarique Rahman? Tarique Rahman is the eldest son of former President General Ziaur Rahman and three-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. During BNP’s last tenure from 2001 to 2006, although Khaleda Zia held the official office, Rahman was widely regarded as the ...

Islamabad/Dhaka, February 13, 2026: Following Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) decisive win in Thursday’s parliamentary elections, Tarique Rahman has received congratulatory messages from both Pakistan and India, signaling the start of a new regional diplomatic chapter. BNP is projected to secure over 200 of the 300 parliamentary seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami appears poised to win just over 60 seats. Tarique Rahman is set to become Bangladesh’s next Prime Minister, with formal confirmation expected soon. Pakistani Leaders Extend Congratulations Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif congratulated Tarique Rahman, stating:"I warmly congratulate Tarique Rahman for securing a remarkable victory for BNP in the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. I also commend the people of Bangla...

Dhaka, February 13, 2026: The National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by student leaders who had spearheaded protests against Sheikh Hasina in July–August 2024, suffered a crushing defeat in Thursday’s parliamentary elections. Despite high expectations and backing from Muhammad Yunus, Western agencies, and an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP managed to secure only six seats out of the 299 contested. Election Turnout and Overview Voter turnout ranged between 40–55%, with an estimated overall participation of just 48%. Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, which holds a roughly 40% voter base, largely abstained from the elections, while the BNP surged ahead, projected to win over 200 seats. Tarique Rahman is poised to become Bangladesh’s next Prime Minister. NCP’s Poor Performance Early o...

Dhaka, February 13, 2026: After nearly two decades, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is poised to return to power, with Tarique Rahman expected to become the country’s next Prime Minister. His victory not only marks a political milestone for BNP but also raises questions about the future of Bangladesh’s relations with Pakistan. Unofficial results indicate that BNP has crossed the majority mark of 151 seats and is leading in several others. At 60, Tarique Rahman returns to power after 17 years in self-imposed exile, having returned from London on December 25. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is expected to facilitate a smooth transition of power. Tarique Rahman: A Profile Tarique Rahman is the eldest son of former President and military leader General Ziaur Rahman...

Dhaka, February 13, 2026: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has secured a decisive victory in the parliamentary elections, delivering a resounding message against extremist ideologies and external interference. Jamaat-e-Islami, which had received direct support from the United States and backing from student leaders and Muhammad Yunus, suffered a crushing defeat. The results underscore the electorate’s preference for mainstream, moderate political leadership. Key Takeaways from the Election: 1. Mainstream Politics Prevail:With the Awami League barred from contesting, BNP emerged as the only credible mainstream party. Winning over 200 out of 300 contested parliamentary seats, BNP’s success signals that the people of Bangladesh place their trust in moderate, mainstream political f...

Dhaka, February 13, 2026: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has achieved a sweeping victory in Thursday’s parliamentary elections, signaling a return to political stability in the South Asian nation after 18 months of uncertainty. Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is set to become the country’s next Prime Minister, returning after 17 years in exile. According to early results, BNP has won 151 seats outright and is leading in over 120 others, while Jamaat-e-Islami has managed only 43 seats. The elections marked the first time in decades that the Awami League’s election symbol, the “boat,” did not appear on the ballot. BNP faced competition primarily from the Jamaat-led 11-party coalition, including the youth-driven National Citizen Party (NCP). Tarique Rah...

Moscow / Khabarovsk: Russia has begun deploying its Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets at the Dzyomgi Air Base near Japan, marking a significant upgrade in its Far East air capabilities. Reports indicate that at least 15 Su-57s have been stationed alongside existing Su-35S fighters and MiG-31BM interceptors. The deployment coincides with the delivery of new Su-57 production models from the nearby Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant, where serial production and final assembly of Su-35 and Su-57 jets take place. Strategic Location and Training Dzyomgi Air Base, near the Centralnaya Ugolovaya region, is considered one of Russia’s most sensitive air facilities. Stationing Su-57s here allows the new jets to operate alongside older Su-35 and MiG-31 units, providing essential air com...

Washington: The Trump administration has officially recognized India as a crucial and reliable partner in South Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing the country’s strategic importance in countering China’s growing influence. During a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapoor stated that a strong and independent India aligns with U.S. strategic interests. “An India that can develop freely and stand on its own reduces China’s potential to become a dominant force in the Indo-Pacific,” Kapoor said. He highlighted that India’s economic growth and independent military capabilities serve as a check on China’s expanding regional ambitions, including its Belt and Road Initiative. ...

New Delhi: The expansion of BRICS into the BRICS+ framework, intended to increase the bloc’s global influence, is now revealing significant internal fissures among its member nations. Differences in strategic priorities and alliances are causing friction, raising questions about the bloc’s cohesion and effectiveness. Diverging Interests and Alliances Some BRICS+ members align closely with the United States, others with China, and yet others follow India’s multi-alignment strategy. This divergence is leading to conflicting interests. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, heavily tied to the U.S. dollar, are opposed to the idea of a BRICS currency. Meanwhile, India is advocating a framework for new payment systems rather than directly challenging the dollar, in cont...

Dhaka: On the day of Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, tensions flared between the United States and China as Beijing issued a sharp warning to the American ambassador in Dhaka. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh said that the embassy had expressed its “serious stance” regarding U.S. comments, accusing the American envoy of interfering in Bangladesh-China relations and spreading misunderstandings. China’s Firm Response The Chinese spokesperson emphasized that China’s ties with Bangladesh and other South Asian nations are not aimed at targeting any third party, nor will they be influenced by external powers. “Any attempt to interfere in or obstruct these relations will fail,” the spokesperson added. The statement comes as Mohammad Yunus expands defense ties with ...