Bangladesh PM Rahman to skip BRICS Summit
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is not expected to travel to India for the upcoming BRICS Summit, with Dhaka clarifying that the invitation associated with the event was extended to him in his capacity as chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Minister Humaiun Kobir said the invitation should not be interpreted as a direct invitation to Rahman as Bangladesh’s prime minister to attend the summit.
“The BIMSTEC Chair was invited,” Kobir said while responding to questions about the possibility of Rahman’s participation in the BRICS gathering.
The clarification comes amid speculation that Rahman could make his first visit to India after taking office by attending the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. His possible presence at the meeting had attracted considerable attention because it could have provided an opportunity for the leaders of India and Bangladesh to hold discussions amid efforts to manage a sensitive bilateral relationship.
Kobir, however, indicated that Dhaka does not want Rahman’s first visit to India to take place as part of a multilateral programme. Instead, Bangladesh would prefer the prime minister’s first trip to be organised as a bilateral engagement between the two neighbouring countries.
A bilateral visit would give the two governments more space to focus on issues directly affecting India-Bangladesh relations. It could also provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss areas of cooperation and address concerns that have emerged between the two countries in recent years.
India and Bangladesh share extensive ties covering trade, connectivity, border management, water resources, energy and regional cooperation. Relations between the two countries have nevertheless faced political and diplomatic challenges, making high-level engagement particularly significant.
The BRICS Summit in New Delhi is expected to bring together leaders from member states as well as representatives and leaders invited for outreach programmes.
BIMSTEC’s participation is also important because the regional grouping connects countries around the Bay of Bengal and provides a platform for cooperation on trade, connectivity, security and economic development.
Rahman’s absence from the summit would mean that his first India visit as prime minister will likely have to be arranged separately through diplomatic channels.
For now, Dhaka appears focused on ensuring that any visit by Rahman to India takes place under conditions suitable for substantive bilateral discussions. The timing of such a visit has not been finalised, and both governments are expected to remain engaged through diplomatic channels.
The latest clarification therefore puts to rest, at least for the moment, speculation that Rahman’s first India trip would coincide with the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.