Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman May Skips Delhi BRICS Summit But likely to Visit India as Bilataterl Trip by December

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is likely skip the upcoming BRICS summit in New Delhi, as diplomatic friction and domestic political calculus dictating a cautious approach to bilateral ties with India.

Foreign affairs minister Humaiun Kobir reportedly stated that Dhaka received an invitation for the BIMSTEC Chair rather than a direct bilateral invite for the prime minister, prompting questions over diplomatic protocols.

On Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated in New Delhi that authorities had received no formal confirmation from Dhaka regarding the Bangladeshi Prime Minister's participation in the BRICS summit.

India, as the host nation for the upcoming BRICS summit, has formally invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to participate in the summit's outreach session. According to reports from the Press Trust of India (PTI), the invitation was extended to Rahman in his official capacity as the current chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

BIMSTEC functions as a vital regional economic and technical grouping that brings together seven member states: India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bhutan.

The Diplomatic Standoff and Domestic Pressures

A diplomatic source cited in a report by CNN-News18 on Thursday that while Rahman remains keen to visit India at the earliest, he harbours serious concerns regarding the concrete takeaway points and achievements he must present to his domestic constituency back home.

The source reportedly emphasised that skipping the multilateral forum does not signal an evasion of an immediate neighbour, noting India's historic support during Bangladesh's Liberation War of 1971. Yet, deep-seated friction persists, amplified by New Delhi offering political asylum to ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina following the August 2024 uprising. Dhaka maintains that Hasina and other figures must face justice for student killings.

Ganga Water Treaty and Future Engagements

Looking ahead, diplomatic channels are already pivoting toward a standalone bilateral framework. The report noted that Prime Minister Rahman is aware he may need to visit Delhi between October and December, as the vital Ganga Water Treaty is set to lapse by the end of December and requires urgent renewal.

Energy cooperation remains another critical leverage point where New Delhi could ease Dhaka's acute supply crunch, as per the report, serving as a vital confidence-building measure. While the foreign ministry works to arrange a bilateral visit when the timing proves conducive, both capitals face the delicate task of balancing strategic necessities against domestic political optics.