The Pulse | Diplomacy | South Asia

Why Bangladesh Skipped the Delhi BRICS Summit

What the decision means (and doesn’t mean) for Bangladesh-India relations.

After the significant mass uprising of 2024, Bangladesh has had two governments, yet there has still been no bilateral visit between the heads of government of Bangladesh and India. A possible India visit by Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman came under discussion ahead of the recently held BRICS summit. In the end, neither the Bangladeshi prime minister nor any representative from Dhaka attended the summit in New Delhi. 

It could be said that Bangladesh’s absence from the BRICS summit came amid a broader recalibration of Dhaka-Delhi relations following the 2024 political transition. After the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led government assumed office in February this year, diplomatic engagement between Dhaka and New Delhi has increased. Both sides have expressed their willingness to improve relations. However, political trust and some unresolved issues continue to remain as challenges to further advancing ties. 

The formal position of the Bangladesh government is that the invitation to the BRICS summit was extended to Bangladesh as the chair of BIMSTEC, not to Rahman as prime minister. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir clarified that Rahman’s first visit to India should not take place through a multilateral conference but rather be a full-fledged bilateral visit. Kobir also said that Dhaka would consider such 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 to participate in the BRICS outreach session as the chair of BIMSTEC. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first invited his Bangladeshi counterpart, along with his family, in February immediately after the BNP-led government took office. 

In August, New Delhi reportedly made preparations for a possible visit by Rahman, but it ultimately did not take place. Media reports now suggest that discussions are underway to facilitate his visit in November this year.

Bangladesh is not a member of BRICS, but because this year’s BRICS summit was held in South Asia, Bangladesh’s invitation as the chair of BIMSTEC and its participation in the outreach session were relevant. The main benefit to Dhaka would have been the opportunity to meet global leaders and expand diplomatic engagement.

Many countries sent their foreign ministers to the BRICS summit. Why did Bangladesh decline to send any representative? 

The explanation provided by Kobir regarding the expectation of a “conducive environment” and ensuring “mutual respect” is relevant here. Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to New Delhi, Riyaz Hamidullah, also said that Rahman could not attend the BRICS summit in India due to “certain circumstances” in the overall bilateral relationship.

Rahman’s government has made a commitment to move away from the previous framework of diplomacy and pursue a “Bangladesh First” policy. Thus, while the prime minister has not set foot in India since taking office, Rahman has already visited Malaysia and China and is visiting the United States for the U.N. General Assembly meeting this week. 

The bilateral relationship with India became asymmetric during the previous Awami League regime. Issues such as border killings and alleged interference in domestic politics have also triggered public........

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