In a significant diplomatic gesture, India has invited Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS summit outreach session as the current chair of BIMSTEC.

Key Takeaways

  • India will host the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12-13.
  • PM Tarique Rahman invited in his capacity as BIMSTEC Chair.
  • Global leaders including Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin are expected to attend.

New Delhi: India officially announced on Tuesday that it has extended an invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to participate in the outreach session of the upcoming BRICS Summit. The invitation is extended to him in his capacity as the current chairperson of the BIMSTEC grouping.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed during a press briefing that this move follows the standard protocol observed by BRICS. He noted that other heads of regional organizations are being invited in a similar manner to ensure broad regional engagement. This comes after an earlier invitation for a bilateral visit was extended to Rahman following his assumption of office in February.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this invitation serves a dual purpose: reinforcing India's 'Neighborhood First' policy and integrating regional economic cooperation with global emerging economies. By linking BIMSTEC leadership with the BRICS outreach, India is positioning itself as a central facilitator for South Asian stability and growth.

The inclusion of regional leaders in BRICS outreach sessions is a strategic masterstroke to bridge regional connectivity with global economic governance.

The summit, scheduled for September 12 and 13 in New Delhi, is set to address critical global issues, including the economic fallout from the West Asia crisis. High-profile attendees are expected, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Historical Background

Originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS has undergone massive expansion. Following the 2024 expansion (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE) and the 2025 inclusion of Indonesia, the bloc now represents nearly 40% of global GDP and 26% of global trade, making it a formidable economic powerhouse.

Did You Know?: BRICS nations collectively represent approximately 49.5% of the world's total population!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why was the Bangladesh PM invited specifically?
He was invited as the current Chair of BIMSTEC to participate in the summit's outreach session.

2. Where will the BRICS summit be held?
The 18th BRICS Summit will be hosted by India in New Delhi this September.