Dhaka: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir announced on Thursday that Bangladesh will not send a government representative to the upcoming BRICS Summit. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was not invited, with the invitation instead being extended to the BIMSTEC Chair.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Kobir clarified to reporters that the Bangladesh Prime Minister was not on the invitee list for the BRICS Summit. 'How shall we go? Has anyone from the Bangladesh government been invited? Our Prime Minister was not invited. Who told you that our Prime Minister was invited? The BIMSTEC Chair was invited. Then why are you asking this question?' said Kobir, dismissing any possibility of Prime Minister Rahman's attendance at the summit.
While speaking at the Foreign Service Academy, Kobir addressed the matter of Prime Minister Rahman's potential visit to India, emphasizing that it should be a bilateral rather than a multilateral engagement. The state minister highlighted that the government is in the process of organizing a bilateral visit to India, focusing on the importance of timing and discussions for mutual respect and cooperation.
Furthermore, Kobir touched on the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty, asserting that national interests remain a priority and will be addressed with importance and competence. He mentioned that the government would prioritize the interests and well-being of Bangladesh in such matters.
In April 2025, Bangladesh took over the chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) for a two-year term, reaffirming its dedication to regional development and cooperation. BIMSTEC includes seven member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
On August 4, India confirmed extending an invitation to Prime Minister Rahman to attend the BRICS Summit as the BIMSTEC Chair, alongside a separate bilateral invitation that has been in place since February this year. 'You would be aware that a formal invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India was extended when he assumed office in February 2026,' stated Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal at a recent media briefing in New Delhi.
For the BRICS Summit, India has invited the Bangladesh Prime Minister in his capacity as the current Chair of BIMSTEC to participate in the outreach session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. This invitation aligns with the standard practice for outreach sessions, where other regional group leaders are similarly invited, according to the MEA spokesperson.
The 18th BRICS Summit, hosted by India at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12-13, will feature leaders from BRICS member and partner countries, along with outreach invitees. The event will also see the participation of United Nations Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres, as confirmed by the United Nations in India.
Under India's Chairship, guided by the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,' the summit aims to foster a people-centric approach rooted in the spirit of 'Humanity First.' Leaders will discuss enhancing intra-BRICS cooperation on shared priorities and exchange views on global and regional issues of mutual significance.
During India's Chairship, over 350 meetings and high-level engagements have taken place across more than 25 cities in India to reinforce the BRICS strategic partnership. These initiatives, including business-to-business and people-to-people interactions, have focused on achieving practical and development-oriented outcomes.
As a founding member of BRICS, India has held its Chairship three times before, in 2012, 2016, and 2021. The year 2026 marks India's fourth Chairship and the 20th anniversary of BRICS since its establishment.