NEW DELHI, India — The Indian government stated that it currently has no specific information regarding whether Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi, or if another high-level representative will head the Bangladeshi delegation.
Addressing the Ministry of External Affairs' weekly press briefing, official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified India's stance on the bilateral engagement. He also declined to comment on recent media interviews involving ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
The Diplomatic Context & Summit Invitation
Following the BNP's victory in the national elections, the Indian government extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for an official bilateral visit.
In addition, India issued a separate invitation to Prime Minister Rahman to attend the outreach session of the 18th BRICS Summit, taking place on September 12–13 in New Delhi, in his capacity as the current chairman of BIMSTEC.
Proposed Bilateral Dates: Early reports indicated a potential bilateral visit to New Delhi between August 22 and 23. However, those dates passed without an official confirmation.
High Commissioner's Clarification: Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma recently noted in Dhaka that the final decision regarding a visit rests entirely with the Bangladeshi leadership.
Dhaka's Conditions and Strained Ties
Bilateral relations faced friction following a press conference held by Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi. In response, Dhaka signaled that a favorable diplomatic environment is essential before finalizing high-level visits.
Dhaka has raised two primary conditions regarding future bilateral progression:
Extradition Process: Accelerating the formal extradition framework for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Handover of Suspects: Extraditing individuals wanted in connection with the murder of Inqilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.
Official Response on Sheikh Hasina's Statements
During the briefing, media representatives questioned whether Sheikh Hasina had expressed concerns or conditions regarding her return to Bangladesh—such as personal security guarantees, legal access, and fair trial standards.
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal refrained from discussing the matter directly, stating that New Delhi has no comment on media interviews or reports featuring the ousted leader.
The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that while invitations remain open through official channels, formal updates regarding Bangladesh's delegation level for the summit will be shared once official confirmations are established.
