Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman's Participation in BRICS Outreach Summit in Doubt

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's expected participation in the outreach session of the BRICS Summit, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12–13, is now considered highly unlikely amid renewed diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and India over former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent appearance before the media in Delhi.

According to multiple senior government sources in Bangladesh, the recent developments have significantly reduced the possibility of the prime minister attending the BRICS outreach session.

As the current Chair of BIMSTEC, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had been invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the outreach segment of the summit. The invitation was formally conveyed through a diplomatic note sent by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka to Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 14.

The BRICS outreach session traditionally invites leaders of selected non-member countries and regional organizations. BRICS is an economic bloc comprising 11 emerging economies, while BIMSTEC is a regional organization promoting cooperation among countries in the Bay of Bengal region.

Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have come under renewed strain following India's decision to allow former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to address journalists in New Delhi earlier this week.

Bangladesh formally conveyed its dissatisfaction to India, stating in an official Foreign Ministry statement that it was "deeply concerned" over the opportunity given to the fugitive and convicted former prime minister to speak to the media. The statement also alleged that Hasina and her associates used the platform to spread "toxic hatred" against the Bangladeshi state and its people.

Home Affairs Adviser Salahuddin Ahmed criticized India's actions, saying, "You cannot play the 'Hasina card' while expecting friendly relations with Bangladesh. The two are contradictory. I hope the Indian authorities and government understand this."

However, India's Ministry of External Affairs distanced itself from Hasina's remarks. On Friday, ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the Government of India does not endorse any comments made from the platform against Bangladesh's legally constituted government.

Despite the tensions, diplomatic engagement between the two countries continues. Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is expected to meet India's newly appointed High Commissioner, Dinesh Trivedi, on Sunday. The envoy is also scheduled to pay his first courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday.

Diplomatic sources said both governments are seeking ways to prevent the current tensions from escalating into a prolonged crisis and are continuing discussions aimed at rebuilding mutual trust.

Meanwhile, Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Editor of The Hindu, has urged India to prioritize restoring constructive relations with Bangladesh in light of the current tensions.

The uncertainty surrounding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's participation in the BRICS outreach session has further intensified discussions over the future direction of Bangladesh–India relations.