India on Tuesday confirmed that an invitation has been extended to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the 18th BRICS Summit as the Chair of BIMSTEC.
This formal invitation is separate from a standing bilateral invitation for Tarique to visit India, which has been in place since he assumed office in February 2026.
Speaking at a media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the invitation to attend the summit’s outreach session aligns with the standard BRICS practice of inviting heads of regional organisations.
The summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 12–13 September, with a focus on global trade, sustainable development, and international cooperation.
Regional leadership and summit theme
Bangladesh officially took over the two-year rotating chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in April last year. A senior official noted that this role reaffirms Dhaka’s commitment to regional development and cooperation.
The upcoming summit in New Delhi will operate under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” a “humanity-first” approach introduced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The current BRICS membership includes Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE, alongside partner nations such as Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur previously mentioned on 29 July that the government is reviewing the invitation and will communicate a final decision shortly.
Clarification on Sheikh Hasina
Addressing reports regarding a planned media engagement by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on 5 August, the MEA spokesperson clarified that the Indian government has “no involvement whatsoever” in the process.
Jaiswal emphasised that the interaction is being hosted by a private entity – the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCC South Asia) – and that New Delhi does not endorse any views expressed there.
This clarification follows a meeting on Monday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, where Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir met with the new Indian High Commissioner, Dinesh Trivedi.
Kabir conveyed Dhaka’s expectation that Indian territory should not be used by fugitives, including Hasina, to issue political statements or conduct activities that could destabilise Bangladesh.
He warned that such actions could undermine the positive progress of bilateral relations. Hasina has remained in India since fleeing Bangladesh two years ago following a massive student-led protest.
