By Mir Lutful Kabir Saadi
Dhaka: Uncertainty is mounting over whether Bangladesh’s newly elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will travel to India to participate in the BRICS Outreach Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 12–13 September 2026, despite having received an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to a report published by Bangladesh’s leading newspaper Prothom Alo, the likelihood of Rahman attending the BRICS outreach event has become increasingly remote in the wake of recent diplomatic tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi surrounding an event in India featuring former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The issue has attracted considerable attention across South Asian diplomatic circles, as Rahman’s decision could become an important indicator of the future trajectory of Bangladesh-India relations under the new government.
Modi’s Invitation and the BRICS Outreach
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who currently chairs BIMSTEC, extended an invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the outreach segment of the BRICS summit. The outreach session traditionally includes leaders from selected non-member countries and regional organisations.
BRICS, now comprising 11 major emerging economies, has increasingly used the outreach platform to engage strategically important partner countries.
Bangladesh’s participation would have carried both economic and geopolitical significance, particularly at a time when regional alignments are undergoing rapid transformation.
However, Prothom Alo, citing diplomatic sources, reported that Rahman’s participation in the outreach event is now considered highly unlikely.
Diplomatic Fallout over Sheikh Hasina’s Delhi Event
The reported shift comes shortly after a controversy erupted over an event held in New Delhi on 5 August 2026, where Sheikh Hasina addressed a gathering organised by the South Asian Foreign Correspondents’ forum through a virtual appearance.
Although Hasina was not seen on screen, her voice was heard during the event, prompting strong reactions from the Bangladeshi government. Dhaka publicly protested the programme, viewing it as politically sensitive given Hasina’s legal status in Bangladesh.
According to the report, the controversy surrounding Hasina’s appearance has significantly affected the atmosphere surrounding Rahman’s possible visit to India. Diplomatic observers believe that the episode may have undermined the political conditions necessary for a high-profile bilateral engagement during the BRICS summit.
A Relationship Burdened by Post-2024 Tensions
The diplomatic strain must also be viewed against the backdrop of the dramatic political changes that reshaped Bangladesh after the 5 August 2024 popular uprising, which brought an end to Sheikh Hasina’s long tenure in power.
Hasina left Bangladesh on the day of the uprising and has since remained in India. Successive governments in Dhaka have reportedly sought her extradition on multiple occasions.
Sheikh Hasina currently faces several criminal cases in Bangladesh and has reportedly been convicted in some proceedings, including a death sentence in one case. Recently, she stated that she intends to return to Bangladesh in December 2026, adding another layer of uncertainty to the already complex political and diplomatic situation.
The reversal of political fortunes is particularly striking. At a time when Tarique Rahman’s mother, Khaleda Zia, was imprisoned following a court conviction, Sheikh Hasina was the country’s prime minister. Today, Tarique Rahman occupies the office of prime minister while Hasina remains in exile in India.
China as Rahman’s First Foreign Destination
Another factor drawing attention is the symbolism of Rahman’s foreign policy choices. After assuming office, China became his first overseas destination, a move widely interpreted as a significant geopolitical signal.
Diplomatic analysts are therefore closely watching what would become his second foreign visit and whether the apparent decision to forgo the BRICS outreach in India reflects a broader recalibration of Bangladesh’s regional diplomatic priorities.
Significance of Indian Envoy’s Meeting in Dhaka
Amid this uncertainty, the scheduled courtesy meeting in Dhaka between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and India’s newly appointed High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi is being viewed as highly significant. The meeting held on Monday, the first formal interaction between the Bangladeshi prime minister and the new Indian envoy.
Bangladesh’s Response to the Hasina Controversy
The controversy has also triggered strong reactions within Bangladesh’s political establishment. Speaking to journalists, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed dismissed the significance of Hasina’s Delhi appearance, remarking that “only her voice was heard” and accusing her supporters of attempting to create instability in Bangladesh.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has also sought to distance itself from the event, stating that it was organised by a private media organisation and that the Government of India had no role in arranging it. The ministry further clarified that statements made at the forum regarding Bangladesh’s lawfully constituted government did not represent the position of the Indian government.
A Key Test for Bangladesh–India Relations
Whether Tarique Rahman ultimately attends the BRICS outreach summit has now become more than a question of diplomatic scheduling. It is increasingly being seen as a test of the political climate between Dhaka and New Delhi at a particularly sensitive moment.
If Rahman declines the invitation, it could signal that recent tensions have had a tangible impact on high-level bilateral engagement. If he attends, the visit could provide an opportunity for both governments to stabilise relations and reopen strategic dialogue on trade, connectivity, security cooperation, and regional diplomacy.
For now, diplomatic sources suggest that the prospects of the Bangladeshi prime minister participating in the New Delhi BRICS outreach summit remain uncertain, with recent political developments casting a long shadow over one of the region’s most closely watched diplomatic engagements.
