India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has congratulated Dr. Khalilur Rahman on his appointment as Bangladesh’s new foreign minister in the recently formed government. Jaishankar extended his greetings through his official verified Facebook page, expressing eagerness to work together for mutual progress and prosperity between the two neighboring countries.

Dr. Khalilur Rahman previously served as the National Security Adviser in the interim government and as the High Representative on Rohingya issues under the Chief Adviser. He earned his master’s degree in economics from the University of Dhaka in 1977, securing first place in his class, and joined the Bangladesh Civil Service (Foreign Affairs) cadre in 1979. He later obtained an MA in Law and Diplomacy and a PhD in Economics from Tufts and Harvard universities in the United States.

Between 1983 and 1985, Rahman worked in the South Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as the personal secretary to the foreign minister. He was later posted to Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and joined the UN Secretariat in Geneva in 1991 as a special adviser to UNCTAD.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali stated that the police have delivered a fair and widely accepted election through utmost sincerity and dedication. He made the remarks on Wednesday at the monthly crime review meeting for January 2026, held at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh. Addressing DMP members, he thanked all officers for maintaining neutrality and professionalism during the election and said the force had regained its lost glory. He urged everyone to continue working to uphold this positive image.

During the meeting, Additional Police Commissioner (Admin) Mohammad Sarwar instructed officers to manage heavy traffic before iftar during Ramadan to ensure smooth movement for the public. Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) S.N. Mohammad Nazrul Islam directed vigilance during major upcoming events such as International Mother Language Day and the Ekushey Book Fair, and to prevent theft and snatching during Ramadan nights. The DMP Commissioner also awarded officers for outstanding performance in maintaining law and order and public safety in January.

Senior DMP officials, including several additional and joint commissioners, deputy commissioners, and officers-in-charge from all police stations, attended the meeting.

A Dhaka court has issued arrest warrants against British MP Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and former RAJUK assistant legal adviser Sardar Mosharraf Hossain in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The order was given on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez after the accused failed to appear in court. The court also set March 8 for submission of the arrest execution report.

According to the case, filed on April 15 of the previous year, Siddiq and others allegedly misused their positions to illegally obtain a flat from Eastern Housing Limited in Gulshan-2 without payment. The ACC later submitted a charge sheet on December 11 under several sections of the Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947. Earlier, co-accused Shah Khusruzzaman had sought a stay on the investigation, which the High Court granted for three months.

The report also notes that Siddiq had previously been sentenced to six years in prison in three separate cases related to plot allocation fraud.

Newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will travel in his own car instead of using an official vehicle, according to BNP media cell member Atikur Rahman Ruman. He will not claim any expenses for fuel or driver as part of his official privileges. On Wednesday, his first day after taking oath, the Prime Minister used his personal white Toyota car to visit Savar National Memorial and later Sher-e-Bangla Nagar before attending the first cabinet meeting at the Secretariat.

Ruman said the Prime Minister has reduced his motorcade from 13–14 vehicles to four, considering Dhaka’s traffic congestion. He also instructed that the usual deployment of uniformed police along his travel route be discontinued. The Prime Minister decided to hold most cabinet meetings at the Secretariat instead of the Prime Minister’s Office to avoid traffic disruptions caused by VIP movement.

During official state events or visits by foreign guests, the national flag will be displayed on his car, but not during regular activities, Ruman added.

At a central executive meeting held at its Paltan headquarters on February 17, 2026, Khelafat Majlis leaders expressed deep concern that the winning party, BNP, and its coalition partners in the 13th National Parliament had not taken oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. They said this stance went against public expectations and undermined the spirit of the July uprising. The party emphasized that, since the people voted 'yes' in the referendum, the government must promptly implement the July Charter and accelerate constitutional reform.

The leaders also alleged widespread irregularities in vote counting and result announcements during the 13th parliamentary election. Khelafat Majlis demanded a recount in constituencies including Narayanganj-05 and Khulna-04 and announced plans to file a petition with the High Court, expecting justice. The meeting further called for control of commodity prices and improvement of law and order ahead of Ramadan, urging restraint from activities that could harm the sanctity of the holy month. A national election review committee was also formed.

The meeting was chaired by Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and conducted by Secretary General Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader.

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has directed that electricity supply remain uninterrupted during sehri, iftar, and tarawih prayers in the upcoming Ramadan. The instruction came on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, during the first cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat under his chairmanship. After the meeting, State Minister for Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque Nur briefed reporters about the decisions.

According to the state minister, the Prime Minister reminded cabinet members that the government enjoys strong public support and must uphold good governance and accountability. He urged ministers to perform their duties free from influence or favoritism and to maintain a firm stance against corruption. The Prime Minister also emphasized keeping commodity prices stable during Ramadan and ensuring law and order.

Additionally, the meeting discussed implementing visible progress on government commitments such as family cards, farmer cards, and health cards, which were highlighted during election campaigns.

The government has relieved Sheikh Bashir Uddin from his position as chairman of the board of directors of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited. The decision was formalized through a gazette notification issued on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, by order of the President. The notification was signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Mosammat Shakila Parvin of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.

According to the notification, Sheikh Bashir Uddin was released from his duties at his own request. The government exercised its authority under Section 30(g) of the Bangladesh Biman Order, 1972 (reinstated and amended by the Bangladesh Biman Order Reinstatement and Amendment Act, 2023). The order was issued in the public interest and took effect immediately from the date of issuance.

The announcement marks an official change in leadership at the national flag carrier, though no successor or further administrative details were mentioned in the government order.

Dr. Reza Kibria, the BNP candidate who won the Habiganj-1 (Nabiganj-Bahubal) constituency by a large margin, has not been included in the newly formed cabinet, causing disappointment among his supporters and local residents. The absence of his name, despite his reputation as an internationally recognized economist, has sparked widespread discussion on social media. Many had expected him to be appointed as a minister, particularly in a key economic role.

Local BNP leaders expressed frustration, saying that the people of Nabiganj-Bahubal had voted with the hope of seeing Dr. Kibria in the cabinet. Gajnaipur Union BNP president Safiul Alam Bajlu described the exclusion as a setback for both the constituency and merit-based leadership. Upazila BNP general secretary Majidur Rahman and senior joint secretary Oliur Rahman echoed similar sentiments, urging the party leadership and the prime minister to reconsider the decision.

The disappointment reflects broader expectations in Habiganj district, where no representative was given a cabinet position, leaving voters disheartened after their strong electoral support.

International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam stated that Sajib Wazed Joy, son of the deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak were among the masterminds of the July genocide. He made the remarks on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, during a press briefing at the tribunal premises, where the prosecution presented its opening statement in the crimes against humanity case against Joy and Palak.

According to Tajul Islam, the genocide took place during the July–August 2024 student uprising, when protesters were allegedly massacred after internet services were shut down. He said both Joy and Palak, who were responsible for ICT affairs at the time, played key roles by facilitating the internet shutdown that enabled the killings.

The Chief Prosecutor further claimed that Palak had consulted with then–Prime Minister’s Adviser Salman F Rahman regarding assistance in the genocide, and that the prosecution had presented evidence of their alleged conspiracies and planning in court.

Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon announced that Bangladesh’s current education curriculum will not be changed but will undergo a review. He made the statement on Wednesday, during the new government’s first working day, at a press conference held at the Secretariat. State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj was also present at the briefing. Responding to journalists’ questions, Milon emphasized that the curriculum would be reviewed rather than replaced.

The minister recalled his previous tenure as state minister for education during the BNP–Jamaat coalition government, noting that measures taken then had curbed exam malpractice and question paper leaks. He expressed confidence that such problems would not recur. His comments came a day after his oath-taking, when he drew attention for energetically entering the National Parliament premises by jumping over an iron boundary.

When asked if similar bold moves would be seen in the education sector, Milon replied that the sector would need not just a “high jump” but a “pole vault jump,” signaling his intent for ambitious reforms through review rather than overhaul.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that the newly elected government will work toward three main goals: controlling commodity prices, ensuring stable electricity, fuel and gas supply, and improving law and order to ease public safety concerns. He made the statement on February 18, 2026, emphasizing that these priorities are central to the new administration’s agenda.

The minister said the government will take swift measures to address the major challenges it faces. He highlighted that maintaining price stability during the upcoming Ramadan, keeping essential utilities affordable, and restoring public confidence in security are immediate objectives.

Earlier that morning, the Prime Minister and cabinet members paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing flowers at the National Memorial in Savar.

India and France have upgraded their relationship to a 'special global strategic partnership' following a high-level meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai. During Macron’s three-day official visit, the two nations finalized over 20 agreements across defense and civilian sectors, including joint production of 'Hammer' air-to-ground missiles and a deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets. The leaders also inaugurated an H-125 helicopter assembly plant in Karnataka, built jointly by Airbus and Tata Group.

According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the new agreements extend existing defense cooperation by another decade. The H-125 facility, India’s first private helicopter manufacturing plant, will assemble aircraft capable of operating at Mount Everest’s altitude. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the project involves an investment of about 10 billion rupees and will generate significant employment. Modi emphasized that the partnership will advance global stability and progress, while Macron highlighted the deepening cooperation over the past eight years.

The Rafale and missile deals mark India’s largest recent defense acquisitions and align with its 'Make in India' initiative to boost domestic production of advanced military equipment.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held his first cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday, directing ministry and department heads to prioritize three key issues: controlling essential commodity prices, improving law and order, and ensuring stable electricity supply during Ramadan and the upcoming summer season. The meeting marked his first official engagement after taking office as Bangladesh’s 11th prime minister.

The meeting was attended by 25 ministers, 24 state ministers, and 10 advisers. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters that the cabinet’s initial focus would be on maintaining price stability, public safety, and uninterrupted power supply. Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said relevant ministries and agencies would soon submit progress reports on implementing the prime minister’s directives.

Tarique Rahman urged secretaries to implement the pledges made in the BNP’s election manifesto and assured that merit and competence would be valued in the administration. The new BNP-led government, formed after the 13th national election, began its first day with tributes at the National Memorial and the graves of former leaders before convening at the Secretariat.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sharply criticized India’s Election Commission, urging it to take lessons from Bangladesh’s recently concluded 13th national parliamentary elections, which she described as peaceful and fair. Speaking at a press conference in Nabanna on Tuesday, she said that despite fears of unrest, Bangladesh’s election was conducted smoothly and without violence. She added that any weakness in conducting elections in a democratic country like India would be a matter of shame for the commission.

Banerjee labeled the Election Commission as a “Tughlaqi Commission,” accusing it of acting under the direction of a particular political party and undermining democracy through what she called “politics of intimidation.” She claimed such behavior was unprecedented even in monarchies and posed a serious threat to democratic governance. With assembly elections approaching in West Bengal and four other Indian states, Banerjee alleged that the commission was interfering unnecessarily in state affairs, disrupting constitutional balance and weakening the federal structure.

Her remarks have sparked fresh political debate in India, intensifying verbal clashes between ruling and opposition parties ahead of the upcoming state elections.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has expressed his expectation to develop a modern and time-appropriate education system through a comprehensive curriculum review. He made the remarks on Wednesday while exchanging views with journalists at his office in the Secretariat, where State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj was also present.

Earlier in the day, ministry officials welcomed the minister and state minister with flowers upon their arrival at the Secretariat. During the discussion, Minister Milan emphasized the need for significant progress in education, stating that the sector requires continuous leaps forward rather than small steps. He also mentioned plans to work closely with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, describing him as someone who values education deeply.

State Minister Bobby Hajjaj added that the Prime Minister’s vision for the nation includes major improvements in education. He stressed the necessity of rebuilding every part of the education system and implementing plans with the help of skilled officials.