Bangladesh skips Delhi BRICS summit amid Dhaka-Delhi recalibration

September 21, 2026 at 08:41 PM2 min

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Bangladesh sent no representative to the BRICS summit in New Delhi, despite an invitation extended to Dhaka as BIMSTEC chair. State Minister Humaiun Kobir said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's first India visit should be a full-fledged bilateral trip, not a multilateral conference. The absence reflects a broader recalibration of Dhaka-Delhi ties after the 2024 political transition.

Key Facts

Bangladesh sent no representative to the BRICS summit in New Delhi, despite an invitation as BIMSTEC chair.
State Minister Humaiun Kobir said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's first India visit should be a full-fledged bilateral visit, not a multilateral conference.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Rahman and his family for a bilateral visit in February, immediately after the BNP-led government took office.
Media reports suggest discussions are underway to facilitate Rahman's visit to India in November this year.

Diplomatic Invitation Dispute

The Bangladesh government's formal position is that the BRICS summit invitation was extended to Bangladesh as BIMSTEC chair, not to Rahman as prime minister. State Minister Humaiun Kobir said Dhaka would consider a visit only when a 'conducive environment' is created. New Delhi responded that Rahman received two separate invitations: one for a bilateral visit and another for the BRICS outreach session as BIMSTEC chair. In August, New Delhi reportedly made preparations for a possible visit by Rahman, but it ultimately did not take place.

Bilateral Relations Recalibration

Bangladesh's absence from the BRICS summit came amid a broader recalibration of Dhaka-Delhi relations following the 2024 political transition. After the BNP-led government assumed office in February, diplomatic engagement between Dhaka and New Delhi has increased. Both sides have expressed willingness to improve relations, but political trust and unresolved issues remain challenges. Bangladesh's High Commissioner to New Delhi, Riyaz Hamidullah, said Rahman could not attend the BRICS summit due to 'certain circumstances' in the bilateral relationship.