India Invites PM Tarique to BRICS Summit in New Delhi

India has confirmed that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has been invited to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi as the current chair of BIMSTEC, while a separate bilateral invitation for an official visit to India has remained in place since February.

Speaking at a media briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday, Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the invitation to the BRICS Summit was extended to Tarique Rahman in his capacity as BIMSTEC chair, in line with the bloc's standard practice of inviting heads of regional organisations to its outreach session.

India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13 under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability", with discussions expected to focus on global cooperation, trade and sustainable development.

Jaiswal also said Bangladesh's prime minister had already received a formal bilateral invitation to visit India after assuming office in February 2026.

Responding to questions about the invitation last week, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman said the government was reviewing the matter and would announce its decision in due course.

Bangladesh assumed the BIMSTEC chairmanship in April last year for a two-year term, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and development among the seven member states.

The MEA spokesperson also addressed questions regarding former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's reported virtual participation in an event in New Delhi on August 5.

He said the programme was being organised by a private media organisation and clarified that the Indian government had no involvement in the event and did not endorse any views that might be expressed there.

Earlier, Bangladesh conveyed to India that it expected New Delhi's cooperation to ensure that no individual, including fugitive former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, could use Indian territory to make political statements or engage in activities aimed at creating instability in Bangladesh.

The message was conveyed by Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir during a meeting with newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi at the Prime Minister's Office.

Both sides also discussed bilateral relations and expressed hope that outstanding issues would continue to be resolved through dialogue, mutual trust and constructive engagement.