Aug 24, 2026 15:44 pm IST

Opinion | Why Bangladesh Must Understand That It Can't Have It Both Ways With India

The abrupt cancellation of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's scheduled visit to New Delhi this month raises many questions.

Veena Sikri Veena Sikri Columnist

Veena Sikri Columnist

It is quite unprecedented for the ceremonial welcome reception for a visiting Head of Government or Head of State to be cancelled at the rehearsal stage. In all likelihood, this happened because the dignitary for whom the ceremony was intended had not cared to convey - through the designated channels of communication - that he had no intention of visiting India on the dates that were under discussion. This is what transpired over the visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, scheduled for August 23-25, 2026.

Not Just 'Diplomatic Inexperience'

It is difficult to attribute this to the 'diplomatic inexperience' of a newly elected government. The personalised letter of invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to pay a state visit to India was extended immediately after the Bangladesh Prime Minister's swearing-in on February 17, 2026, handed over by India's Lok Sabha Speaker, Hon'ble Shri Om Birla. There was the assurance India received that New Delhi would be Rahman's first port of call. However, the letter of invitation remains unacknowledged. In early August, a second letter of invitation was sent to him, this time inviting his participation, as Chairperson of BIMSTEC, in the Outreach Session of the BRICS Summit being hosted by India on September 12-13. These are two separate tracks.

Instead of a formal reply confirming or declining these invitations, Bangladesh has chosen diplomacy through the media, with interviews granted by those known to be close to the Prime Minister. This can throw up its own contradictions, creating misunderstandings and painting an incorrect........

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