Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman received 2 India invites, we haven’t heard back: MEA
Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman Received 2 India Invitations, Says MEA
Bharatmorning.com – Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman received 2 invitations from India, according to the Ministry of External Affairs: one for a bilateral visit and another for the BRICS Summit in his capacity as BIMSTEC chair. New Delhi said it was still waiting for a response on the proposed visit.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks while responding to questions about whether Rahman had been invited to the BRICS gathering as Bangladesh’s prime minister.
“On the visit of the Prime Minister, we have not heard anything. As and when we have something to update you with, we'll surely come back,” Jaiswal said.
India describes two separate invitations
Jaiswal said the invitations served distinct purposes. The first concerned a possible bilateral visit to India, while the second related to Bangladesh’s chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, or BIMSTEC, at the BRICS Summit.
“We had invited Prime Minister of Bangladesh on a bilateral visit, as also subsequently he was invited for the BRICS Summit as Chair of BIMSTEC. So he had received two invitations, one on the bilateral side and the other for the BRICS Summit as well,” he said.
The statement came after Bangladesh state minister for foreign affairs Humaiun Kobir said the BRICS invitation was connected to the BIMSTEC chairmanship rather than an invitation to Bangladesh’s prime minister in that specific capacity.
“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,” Kobir said.
Why the BIMSTEC role matters
Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman received 2 India invitations amid attention on Dhaka’s diplomatic engagement with New Delhi. India hosted the BRICS Summit and invited Rahman to its outreach session because Bangladesh currently holds the BIMSTEC chair.
BIMSTEC includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The regional grouping connects countries around the Bay of Bengal and focuses on cooperation in economic, technical and strategic areas.
Rahman became Bangladesh’s prime minister in February 2026 and has not yet made an official bilateral visit to India. A planned three-day trip expected to begin on August 23 was postponed, with Bangladesh saying new dates would be decided when both sides could agree on a schedule.
Bangladesh has indicated that it wants to develop its new working relationship with India through bilateral discussions rather than beginning with a multilateral meeting. India, meanwhile, says no confirmation has been received on whether or when the bilateral invitation will be accepted.
UN General Assembly is the next major engagement
Rahman is expected to travel to New York on September 21 for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. He is expected to outline Bangladesh’s priorities and host a high-level side event on the continuing Rohingya refugee crisis.
The Rohingya issue remains a major humanitarian and regional concern for Bangladesh, which continues to host large numbers of refugees who fled violence in Myanmar. The UN gathering will offer Dhaka an opportunity to seek sustained international attention on the crisis.
Bangladesh foreign minister Khalilur Rahman is presiding over the 81st General Assembly session, whose theme is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the two invitations sent to Tarique Rahman?
India said Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman received 2 invitations: a bilateral invitation to visit India and a BRICS Summit invitation linked to Bangladesh’s BIMSTEC chairmanship.
Has Tarique Rahman confirmed a visit to India?
No. India’s external affairs ministry said it had not received an update on the timing or acceptance of a possible bilateral visit.
Why was Rahman invited to the BRICS Summit?
India said he was invited to the outreach session as chair of BIMSTEC, the regional grouping of seven countries around the Bay of Bengal.