Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to India for the 18th Brics Summit next month has become uncertain amid concerns over the wording of New Delhi’s invitation and diplomatic protocol, according to senior BNP and government sources.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Tarique Rahman to attend the Brics outreach session scheduled in New Delhi on 12–13 September. The invitation was conveyed to the Prime Minister’s Office through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Sources said the ambiguity over the invitation’s wording and protocol-related issues are among the key reasons behind the uncertainty over the visit.
However, the letter addressed Tarique not as the prime minister of Bangladesh but as the current chairman of Bimstec, creating unease within the government.
A cabinet member told TIMES of Bangladesh that the final decision on the visit would be taken after reviewing “the language of the invitation, diplomatic etiquette and protocol-related matters”.
“Several issues, including diplomatic norms, will be considered before making a final decision,” the minister said.
Foreign Minister Shama Obaed Islam also said no final decision had been made on whether the prime minister would travel to Delhi.
“After the elected government took office, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited him for a bilateral visit. Later, another invitation was sent for the Brics Summit. The decision on when, where and why the prime minister will travel abroad will be announced at the appropriate time,” she told TIMES.
A BNP standing committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he did not think Tarique Rahman would visit India this time.
“I do not think the prime minister will go to India. And when would he even go?” he said, referring to the tight schedule between the Brics Summit and the UN General Assembly session.
The government, meanwhile, has prioritised preparations for Tarique Rahman’s possible visit to New York for the UN General Assembly.
The prime minister may leave Dhaka on 21 September and is expected to address the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on 24 September. A delegation of around 30 members may accompany him.
This year’s UNGA session has added significance for Bangladesh as Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is expected to serve as president of the General Assembly, making it the first time in years that a Bangladeshi will lead the global forum.
India invitation under scrutiny
The issue of the Brics invitation also drew attention during India’s foreign ministry briefing.
A journalist asked why Bangladesh’s prime minister was addressed as the Bimstec chairman rather than by his official state position.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal avoided giving a direct explanation, saying preparations for the Brics Summit were underway and details regarding invitations and technical matters would be shared later.
Bimstec is a regional grouping of seven Bay of Bengal countries – Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal. Established in 1997, the organisation’s permanent secretariat is located in Dhaka.
Bangladesh assumed the Bimstec chairmanship from Thailand for a two-year term on 4 April 2025, with then interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus taking charge of the role.
Although Bangladesh is not a member of Brics, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina had attended Brics summits.
The bloc, initially formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China, later expanded after South Africa joined and became Brics. Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia have since become full members.
First foreign trip still a talking point
Tarique Rahman’s first foreign destination as prime minister has drawn attention since he took office in February.
Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina had chosen India as her first foreign destination after taking oath as prime minister in each of her new terms from 2009.
Amid speculation over whether Tarique would visit India or China first, he travelled to Malaysia for two days on 21 June before making a four-day visit to China.
Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman also said no decision had yet been taken on Tarique’s participation in the Brics Summit in Delhi.
A government source, however, said the Indian invitation letter also mentioned that the earlier invitation for a bilateral visit remained valid.
