Tarique Rahman Skips BRICS Meet, Bilateral India Visit Still on Cards
What Happened
Tarique Rahman, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, will not attend the BRICS Summit 2026 in New Delhi. While some diplomatic sources said India had invited him in his capacity as BIMSTEC chair, Bangladeshi officials argued that he was not invited as Bangladesh's prime minister. Dhaka has indicated that it may pursue a separate bilateral visit to India at a later date instead.
Key Takeaways
The decision reflects ongoing sensitivities in India-Bangladesh relations, including issues related to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, water-sharing agreements, and broader bilateral ties. Despite skipping the summit, both sides have indicated interest in a future bilateral engagement, possibly later this year.