Bangladesh has yet to confirm whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the BRICS outreach session in India, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic friction between Dhaka and New Delhi.
- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's attendance at the BRICS outreach session remains unconfirmed.
- India is hosting the annual BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12-13.
- Diplomatic ties are strained following India's decision to grant asylum to ousted leader Sheikh Hasina.
The diplomatic corridors of New Delhi and Dhaka are buzzing with speculation as Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman declined to confirm whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the upcoming BRICS Summit. Speaking in New York, shortly after assuming charge as the President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Rahman avoided direct answers regarding the Prime Minister's travel plans.
India, serving as the current chair of BRICS, is set to host the summit on September 12 and 13. The agenda is expected to be heavy, focusing on pressing global challenges, specifically the economic ramifications of the ongoing crisis in West Asia. India extended an invitation to Tarique Rahman in his capacity as the chair of BIMSTEC, a regional grouping that includes India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this hesitation is a calculated diplomatic move. The relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi has reached a critical low following the August 2024 youth-led uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. India's decision to provide political asylum to Hasina has created a friction point for the new administration in Bangladesh. Tarique Rahman's decision to attend or skip the summit will serve as a barometer for the future of Indo-Bangla bilateral relations.
"The silence from Dhaka is a strategic signal; it indicates that the new leadership is recalibrating its foreign policy toward India, moving away from the previous era's dependence."
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that there is currently no update from the Bangladeshi side. This lack of confirmation adds a layer of uncertainty to the high-profile event, where leaders of the world's most influential emerging economies will gather.
The BRICS bloc has seen significant expansion. Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, it added Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE in 2024, with Indonesia joining in 2025. The group now represents approximately 49.5% of the global population and 40% of the global GDP, making it a formidable alternative to G7 dominance.
| Metric | Original BRICS | Expanded BRICS (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Member States | 5 | 11 |
| Global GDP Share | ~25% | ~40% |
| Global Population | ~30% | ~49.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. In what capacity was Tarique Rahman invited to the summit?
He was invited as the current chair of BIMSTEC to participate in the outreach session of the BRICS summit.
2. Why are ties between India and Bangladesh currently strained?
The tension primarily stems from India granting political asylum to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after she fled Bangladesh during the August 2024 uprising.
