Foreign Minister Balananda Sharma is leaving for Dhaka today to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh.

In a press release issued on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said that the visit reflects Nepal’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing mutual cooperation between the two countries.

Sharma will be accompanied by senior ministry officials and is scheduled to return home on February 19.

The swearing-in ceremony will see Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh National Party, take the oath of office as prime minister on Tuesday.

His party secured 209 seats out of 297 counted in the recently held parliamentary elections, achieving a commanding majority. Vote counting in two constituencies has been halted by court order, while polling in one seat was postponed following the death of a candidate.

Bangladesh’s parliament has 350 seats, including 50 reserved for women, which are allocated proportionally based on parties’ electoral performance.