Dhaka: Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman announced today that the government is currently reviewing an invitation for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi as a special guest. "We're currently reviewing it. We will take a decision and inform you immediately once that decision is made," he informed journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a briefing this afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Foreign Minister's comments followed a courtesy call from the newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi. Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kobir was also present at the briefing. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for the BRICS Summit, scheduled for September 12-13 in New Delhi.
Khalilur highlighted that the Prime Minister has received multiple invitations for foreign visits and that his upcoming participation in the United Nations General Assembly in New York needs to be considered while finalizing his diplomatic schedule. "There are several invitations. At the same time, the Prime Minister will attend the General Assembly in New York. So, we have to consider all these engagements together," he explained.
In reference to his recent meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar in Manila, Khalilur mentioned that both Dhaka and New Delhi are hopeful for strengthening bilateral relations in the future. Earlier, Indian High Commissioner Trivedi expressed New Delhi's eagerness to welcome Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India and hoped that the visit would occur soon. "I think it is the Prime Minister's prerogative. But from our side, I can say that we are eagerly looking forward to welcoming the head of the Bangladesh government to India. We hope the visit will take place very soon," he stated to journalists.
Trivedi's remarks came after separate meetings with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Foreign Ministry. When asked about the possible timing of Tarique Rahman's visit, Trivedi mentioned that it would depend on the Prime Minister's priorities. The invitation to the BRICS Summit marks a period of renewed diplomatic engagement between Dhaka and New Delhi, with both nations expressing a desire to advance bilateral relations based on mutual interests.