Bangladesh: Dhaka Rejects BRICS Summit Invitation for Prime Minister
Bangladesh has declined an invitation connected to the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi, saying the invitation was extended to the chair of BIMSTEC rather than directly to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said there was no basis for Dhaka to send a government representative because the prime minister himself had not been invited. He clarified that the invitation was addressed to the chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
The decision comes just before the BRICS leaders’ meeting in New Delhi, where India is hosting discussions involving major emerging economies amid continuing geopolitical tensions. Bangladesh is a member of BIMSTEC, making its regional role relevant to the summit’s outreach discussions.
Dhaka has nevertheless indicated that it remains interested in strengthening relations with India. Officials said Bangladesh is working to arrange a bilateral visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India when circumstances are considered suitable.
The development highlights the importance Bangladesh places on maintaining its regional diplomatic relationships while also carefully managing its participation in multilateral forums.
Bangladesh’s decision is unlikely to end its engagement with BRICS-related initiatives, but it demonstrates that Dhaka wants clarity over the status and level of representation before participating in major international meetings.
