Published : 05 Aug 2026, 01:01 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:30 AM
India has clarified that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s invitation to the BRICS summit in New Delhi is linked to Bangladesh’s current chairmanship of BIMSTEC, while a separate invitation has been extended for a bilateral visit.
India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Tuesday said India invited Tarique for a bilateral visit after he took office in February.
“You would be aware that a formal invitation for a bilateral visit to India was extended to the Bangladesh PM upon his assumption of office in Feb 2026,” Jaiswal said.
The BRICS invitation, he said, was separate.
“As far as the BRICS Summit is concerned, India has separately extended an invitation to Bangladesh premier in his capacity as the current chair of BIMSTEC to attend the outreach session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi,” Jaiswal said.
“The invitation has been extended as per the standard practice being followed in BRICS for the outreach sessions. Other heads of regional groups have also been invited in a similar manner.”
The clarification comes amid renewed diplomatic attention between Dhaka and New Delhi over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s planned virtual appearance at a New Delhi event on Aug 5.
Hasina, who fled to India after being ousted in the 2024 mass uprising, is expected to join a programme organised by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia, marking two years since her removal from power.
Bangladesh had asked India to clarify its position on the event and prevent its territory from being used by Hasina, sentenced to death by the ICT for crime against humanity, or members of the Awami League for political activities.
Jaiswal said the event is being organised by a private media entity and that the government has no involvement in it or endorsement of any views expressed there.
The issue had also figured in discussions over Tarique’s possible India visit.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed said Monday that the Hasina event could hurt efforts to improve Dhaka-Delhi ties, though Bangladesh wanted the relationship to move forward.
Asked whether the event could influence Dhaka’s decision on the BRICS invitation, she said: “Time will tell.”
