India has invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the outreach session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi [1].
The decision reflects Dhaka's struggle to maintain a diplomatic balance between India and China. A confirmation to visit New Delhi could signal a strategic tilt that impacts Bangladesh's broader foreign-policy goals and domestic political standing [2].
Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman said the government has not yet decided whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the BRICS Summit's outreach session in New Delhi next month [3]. This uncertainty was reported on Aug. 10, 2024 [3].
The summit is scheduled for September 2024 [1]. While India has extended the invitation to Rahman as a special guest [1], the Bangladeshi administration is navigating a complex geopolitical landscape. The prime minister previously conducted his first foreign visit after taking office in February 2024 [4].
To avoid diplomatic friction with India, Prime Minister Rahman postponed a visit to China [2]. Instead, the prime minister will tour Malaysia first [2]. This sequence of travel suggests a cautious approach to international relations as the administration avoids appearing too closely aligned with any single global power.
Diplomatic sources said the pending decision on the Delhi visit is tied to these calculations [2]. The outreach session of the BRICS Summit provides a high-profile platform for engagement, but the risks of perceived alignment remain a primary concern for the Dhaka government [1], [3].
“The government has not yet decided whether Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will attend the BRICS Summit's outreach session.”
Bangladesh is attempting a 'neutrality' strategy in a region defined by the rivalry between India and China. By delaying the confirmation of the BRICS visit and rearranging trips to Malaysia and China, the Rahman administration is signaling that it will not be pressured into a binary choice between its two most influential neighbors.
