India invites Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman to BRICS Summit in New Delhi
Synopsis
India has invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi as a special guest — even though Bangladesh is not a BRICS member. Combined with a Cabinet-rank elevation for India's envoy to Dhaka and the resumption of tourist visas after nearly two years, the move signals a concerted push by New Delhi to reset a relationship that had grown strained since the July 2024 unrest.
Key Takeaways
India has invited Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman as a special guest to the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12-13 September .
Bangladesh State Minister Shama Obaed Islam confirmed the invitation has been forwarded to the Bangladesh PMO .
Bangladesh is not a BRICS member or observer; the invite is a diplomatic gesture under India's chairship.
India recently elevated High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi to Union Cabinet Minister status in the Table of Precedence.
Tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens resumed on 28 June after nearly two years of suspension.
India has extended a special guest invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled in New Delhi on 12-13 September, according to local media reports from Dhaka. The invite signals a notable diplomatic gesture as Bangladesh is neither a member nor an observer of the 11-member BRICS bloc.
Invitation Confirmed by Dhaka
Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam confirmed on Thursday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had received the formal invitation letter from India and forwarded it to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The summit is expected to focus on global cooperation, trade, and sustainable development.
Why Bangladesh Was Invited
India's decision to extend a special guest invitation to Dhaka reflects broader efforts by both nations to strengthen bilateral ties and deepen regional cooperation. This comes amid a period of active diplomatic recalibration between the two neighbours. Notably, India holds the BRICS chairship this year under the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability' — a people-centric framework articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 2025 Rio Summit.
Recent Steps to Rebuild Ties
The invitation is part of a broader pattern of confidence-building measures. Last month, the Indian government assigned Union Cabinet Minister status to its High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, in the Table of Precedence — a ceremonial elevation that underscored the strategic weight New Delhi places on the Dhaka relationship.
On 25 June, India also resumed the issuance of tourist visas to Bangladeshi citizens after a suspension of nearly two years, triggered by the July 2024 demonstrations in Bangladesh. High Commissioner Trivedi made the announcement during a visit to the Indian Visa Application Centre at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka. 'I am very happy to be able to announce the launch of general travel visas again. Visa applications can be submitted starting June 28. Urgent medical visas will continue to be provided for humanitarian reasons,' he said.
Current BRICS Membership
The BRICS bloc currently comprises 11 members: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. Bangladesh's inclusion as a special guest at the September summit would mark a significant moment in its engagement with the grouping.
What Comes Next
Whether Prime Minister Rahman accepts the invitation and attends the summit in New Delhi remains to be seen. A confirmation from the Bangladesh PMO is awaited. If he does attend, it would mark one of the most significant high-level bilateral engagements between the two countries in recent years, with trade and regional connectivity expected to feature prominently on the sidelines.
Point of View
Visa resumption, summit access — to stabilise a relationship rattled by the July 2024 upheaval in Dhaka. What is less clear is whether Rahman's government sees the same urgency, or whether domestic political pressures in Bangladesh will complicate a public embrace of Indian outreach. The real test will be whether Rahman accepts and what, if anything, is agreed on the sidelines in September.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has India invited Bangladesh to the BRICS Summit?
India has extended a special guest invitation to Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman for the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12-13 September, even though Bangladesh is not a BRICS member or observer. The move is widely seen as part of India's effort to strengthen bilateral ties with Dhaka amid a period of diplomatic recalibration.
What is the 18th BRICS Summit about?
The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled for 12-13 September in New Delhi, with discussions expected to focus on global cooperation, trade, and sustainable development. India holds the BRICS chairship this year under the theme 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.'
Who confirmed the invitation from Bangladesh's side?
Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam confirmed on Thursday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had received India's invitation letter and forwarded it to the Prime Minister's Office. A formal response from the Bangladesh PMO is still awaited.
What other steps has India taken to improve ties with Bangladesh?
India recently assigned Union Cabinet Minister status to High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi in the Table of Precedence, and resumed tourist visas for Bangladeshi citizens on 28 June after a suspension of nearly two years triggered by the July 2024 demonstrations.
Who are the current BRICS members?
BRICS currently has 11 members: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. Bangladesh is not among them, making its special guest status at the September summit a notable diplomatic signal.
