DHAKA — Bangladesh newly sworn-in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced his first cabinet, naming veteran lawmaker and former commerce minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury to lead the country’s economic revival, while retaining the defence portfolio for himself.
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Rahman, 60, assumed office Tuesday following a landslide election victory, taking over from the interim government that managed the nation of 170 million people after the deadly 2024 uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Chowdhury, 76, returns to the finance ministry with a mandate to restore growth and investor confidence after months of economic turmoil in the world’s second-largest garment-exporting nation. He previously served in the cabinet of Rahman’s late mother, three-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and resigned in 2004 following the controversial approval of a Taiwanese commercial office in Dhaka. During Hasina’s 15-year tenure, Chowdhury faced multiple arrests in cases widely seen as politically motivated.
Congratulations to Dr. Khalilur Rahman on being sworn-in as the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.
Look forward to working together to advance our cooperation for mutual progress and prosperity.
🇮🇳 🇧🇩
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 18, 2026
In addition to retaining defence oversight, Rahman’s cabinet includes experienced politicians, former ministers, academics, and party workers. Veteran diplomat Khalilur Rahman has been appointed foreign minister, tasked with balancing strained ties with neighbouring India while maintaining engagement with Pakistan. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s foreign minister, congratulated Rahman’s government, expressing commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation.
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The new cabinet faces challenges including economic recovery, internal security, regional tensions, and managing the humanitarian situation of over a million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. PM Rahman is expected to chair his first cabinet meeting later on Wednesday, outlining his government’s priorities for stabilising Bangladesh politically and economically.