Akshay DidwaniyaIndia’s foreign ministry says it sent Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman two separate invitations. One was for a bilateral visit. The other was for the BRICS Summit. He did not turn up for either.
India Clears The Air On Two Separate Invitations
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has set the record straight. Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman did receive invitations from New Delhi, not just one but two.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared this during a biweekly press briefing in the capital on Tuesday. He was answering a direct question on whether Rahman had actually been invited at all.
Jaiswal explained that the first invite went out for a bilateral visit. A second one followed later, asking him to attend the BRICS Summit as BIMSTEC Chair.
In his own words, “””We had invited the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a bilateral visit. Subsequently, he was also invited to attend the BRICS Summit in his capacity as the Chair of BIMSTEC. Therefore, he had received two invitations – one for a bilateral visit and the other for participation in the BRICS Summit.”””
The clarification comes at a time when India and Bangladesh are trying to rebuild trust. Both sides speak of dialogue, mutual respect, and long-term regional stability.
It is worth noting that Bangladesh is neither a BRICS member nor a partner country. Rahman’s invite to the summit came purely through his BIMSTEC role.
Dhaka Says No Fixed Date Yet For The Bilateral Visit
Bangladesh has not stayed silent on this either. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir addressed the pending visit on the same day.
He told reporters, “””The visit will take place when the timing is conducive and when discussions lead to a mutually acceptable timeframe. Once both sides agree on a suitable schedule, the visit will happen.”””
Kobir added that ties between the two nations remain steady but still evolving. He put it simply: “””It is a working relationship and a work in progress.”””
On its part, India confirmed it has not received fresh word from Dhaka on scheduling. Jaiswal noted, “””On the visit of Bangladesh prime minister, we have not heard anything on this. As and when we have something to update you, we will get back to you.”””
Confusion Had Grown Before The BRICS Summit Itself
The BRICS Summit ran in New Delhi from September 12 to 13. Leaders from member nations and partner countries attended, along with several outreach invitees.
Ahead of the summit, Bangladeshi officials had insisted Rahman was never personally invited. Kobir had made this point rather sharply just days earlier.
He had asked reporters, “””How shall we go? Has anyone from the Bangladesh government been invited? Our prime minister was not invited. Who told you that our prime minister was invited? The Bimstec chair was invited. Then why are you asking this question?”””
That statement had ruled out any Bangladeshi presence at the summit. India’s latest clarification now shows the bigger picture behind those remarks.
A Relationship With A Longer Backstory
This is not the first outreach New Delhi has made toward Rahman. Back in February 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had written to him directly.
In that letter, Modi invited Rahman and his family to visit India. He spoke of shared history, cultural bonds, and common developmental goals between the two neighbours.
Modi had also congratulated Rahman on his electoral win at the time. He called it a clear sign of public trust in his leadership.
Months later, that promised visit is still pending. For now, both capitals describe the relationship as steady, if still a work in progress.
Pratik Agrawal
The BRICS Times
Mayur Mohta