Foreign countries, including India, Pakistan, China, the United Kingdom, the United States and Bhutan, on Friday congratulated Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman Tarique Rahman on his party’s victory in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections held in the previous day.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi talked to Tarique Rahman over phone on his party’s victory in the national polls and conveyed support for him.

Pakistan prime minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif  also congratulated the BNP chairman on the electoral victory and expressed his desire to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

‘Delighted to speak with Mr. Tarique Rahman. I congratulated him on the remarkable victory in the Bangladesh elections,’ Modi said in a statement shared on his social media handle ‘X’.

He said that he had conveyed his best wishes and support in Tarique’s endeavour to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh.

‘As two close neighbours with deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, I reaffirmed India’s continued commitment to the peace, progress, and prosperity of both our peoples,’ Modi said in the statement.

The US embassy in Dhaka in its official Facebook post said, ‘Congratulations to the people of Bangladesh on a successful election and to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Tarique Rahman on your historic victory.’

China in a message also congratulated the BNP on taking the lead in the JS polls.

‘Congratulations to the people of Bangladesh on the smooth and successful 13th National Parliamentary Election and to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for taking the lead in the election. We look forward to working together with the new government of Bangladesh and writing new chapters of China-Bangladesh relations,’ said the message shared by the Chinese embassy in Dhaka on Friday.

The British High Commission in Dhaka in a statement shared on ‘X’ said that the UK looked forward to working together with the new government on shared priorities such as economic growth, migration, climate action and security cooperation.

Pakistan PM Shahbaz in a message said, ‘I extend my warmest felicitations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading the BNP to a resounding victory in the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. I also congratulate the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the elections.’

Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Bangladesh and deepening ties in areas of mutual interest, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reported.

In a separate statement shared on ‘X’ earlier on Friday, the Indian prime minister conveyed congratulations to Tarique Rahman on his party’s decisive victory in the national polls.

‘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,’ said Modi in the statement on ‘X’.

He said that India would continue to stand in support of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh.

Congratulating Tarique Rahman on his party’s election victory, Bhutan prime minister Tshering Tobgay said that he looked forward to working closely to further strengthen the warm ties of friendship between Bhutan and Bangladesh.

The BNP has won 209 seats out of the 299 constituencies to which the parliamentary elections were held on February 12.