9 hrs ago
Bangladesh Weighs BRICS Benefits After Tarique Rahman Skips Summit
BRICS is a group of countries that wants to increase cooperation and influence for developing nations.
Bangladesh is not a BRICS member.
Its prime minister was invited to the summit because Bangladesh currently leads BIMSTEC, a regional cooperation group.
Tarique Rahman decided not to attend the meeting in New Delhi.
Some experts said he should have gone to meet other leaders and discuss Bangladesh’s interests.
Other experts said Bangladesh would not lose much because Rahman already has, or will have, meetings with important foreign leaders.
Bangladesh also works with the New Development Bank, which has approved substantial financing for projects in the country.
The newspapers said BRICS could help Bangladesh find money, trade opportunities, and new diplomatic partnerships, but membership or cooperation does not guarantee success.
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was invited to the New Delhi BRICS Leaders’ Summit as BIMSTEC chair but did not attend.
Bangladeshi commentators offered mixed views, with some saying attendance could have strengthened diplomatic contacts and others saying the absence caused little harm.
Bangladesh has been a member of the New Development Bank since 2021, with reported approved financing reaching about $450 million by the end of 2025.
Analysts highlighted possible trade and economic-diplomacy opportunities with BRICS countries including China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Indonesia.
Bangladeshi media said the expanded BRICS grouping must turn its economic influence into practical cooperation despite internal differences.
- Who
- Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was invited, while BRICS member states and other international leaders attended.
- What
- The 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit was held without Rahman, prompting Bangladeshi media debate about the value of attending and Bangladesh’s wider relationship with BRICS.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- When
- The summit was underway in 2025, with Bangladeshi newspaper reports published on Saturday; Bangladesh joined the New Development Bank in 2021.
- Why
- Rahman was invited as the current chairperson of BIMSTEC, while BRICS was discussed as a possible source of financing, trade, and diplomatic opportunities for Bangladesh.
Attendance Could Help Bangladesh
Skipping Caused Little Damage
Diplomatic access
Attendance Could Help Bangladesh
Attending would have allowed Tarique Rahman to personally connect with leaders and raise issues relevant to Bangladesh.
Skipping Caused Little Damage
Commentators said meetings on the sidelines would not have represented a major diplomatic or political achievement, especially because Rahman has held or plans to hold bilateral meetings elsewhere.
Importance of BRICS
Attendance Could Help Bangladesh
BRICS offers Bangladesh additional diplomatic and economic tools, including infrastructure financing, trade expansion, and engagement with China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Indonesia.
Skipping Caused Little Damage
Analysts stressed that BRICS is internally diverse, its future as a political force remains uncertain, and membership or participation does not guarantee economic success.
Effect of nonattendance
Attendance Could Help Bangladesh
Some commentators described the summit as an important international event and said it would have been good for Rahman to attend.
Skipping Caused Little Damage
Other international-relations analysts said Bangladesh was not diplomatically or economically harmed by Rahman’s absence.
Key facts
- Summit
- The 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit took place in New Delhi.
- Bangladesh’s status
- Bangladesh is not a BRICS member-state.
- Invitation basis
- Tarique Rahman was invited as chairperson of BIMSTEC.
- New Development Bank
- Bangladesh has been a member since 2021.
- Reported financing
- The bank’s approved financing for Bangladesh had reached about $450 million by the end of 2025.
- BRICS membership
- The grouping comprises 11 countries, according to the reports.
- Earlier participation
- Sheikh Hasina attended the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit in Goa in October 2016.
Quotes
Bangladesh Business Standard
Bangladeshi newspaper reporting on Rahman’s invitation and absence from the summit
“Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was invited as the current chairman of BIMSTEC……, but did not attend”
thehansindia.com
“A viable financial base has already been laid for this”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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