4 hrs ago
Why Bangladesh’s Tarique Rahman Skipped BRICS for UNGA
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has not yet made an official visit to India.
India invited him to visit for talks and also invited him to the BRICS summit in New Delhi.
Bangladesh decided not to attend the BRICS summit with him.
Its officials say the first visit to India should be a special meeting between the two countries.
They want to use that meeting to improve and reset their relationship.
Rahman will instead travel to New York on 21 September for a major United Nations meeting.
He will explain Bangladesh’s plans and discuss the Rohingya refugee crisis.
He might still meet Indian or other leaders while he is at the UN meeting.
Such meetings can be arranged at the last minute.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will travel to New York on 21 September for the 81st United Nations General Assembly session.
India says Rahman has received invitations for a bilateral visit and for the BRICS summit in New Delhi as BIMSTEC chair.
Bangladesh says it wants to reset its relationship with India through a dedicated bilateral visit before attending a multilateral event there.
Rahman plans to present Bangladesh’s future vision and highlight the Rohingya refugee crisis during a high-level UNGA side event.
Bangladesh says possible meetings with Indian, US, or other leaders could be arranged on the sidelines of the UNGA at short notice.
- Who
- Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the Bangladesh government, and India’s Ministry of External Affairs are central to the issue.
- What
- Rahman skipped the BRICS summit invitation in New Delhi but plans to attend and address the 81st United Nations General Assembly session.
- Where
- The planned bilateral visit concerns India and New Delhi, while the UNGA visit will take place in New York.
- When
- His New York trip is scheduled for 21 September; the 81st session opened on 8 September 2026.
- Why
- Bangladesh says it prefers to establish a new working relationship with India through a bilateral visit before engaging through a multilateral forum.
Bilateral-first approach
Multilateral-engagement approach
How to begin improving India-Bangladesh ties
Bilateral-first approach
Bangladesh says a dedicated bilateral visit is the better way to reset the relationship and build a new working relationship with India.
Multilateral-engagement approach
India extended an invitation to Rahman for the BRICS summit in New Delhi, offering an opportunity for contact through a multilateral forum.
Where meetings can take place
Bilateral-first approach
Bangladesh says Rahman should first visit India bilaterally, although it does not rule out meetings on the sidelines of other international gatherings.
Multilateral-engagement approach
India and Bangladesh could still hold discussions during the UNGA, where Bangladesh says last-minute meetings between leaders are possible.
Key facts
- Bangladesh prime minister
- Tarique Rahman
- Upcoming international trip
- New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly session on 21 September
- Indian invitations
- India invited Rahman for a bilateral visit and separately for the BRICS summit as BIMSTEC chair
- Bangladesh’s stated position
- A bilateral India visit should precede participation in a multilateral event there
- UNGA agenda
- Rahman plans to present Bangladesh’s future vision and raise the Rohingya refugee crisis
- UNGA president
- Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is president of the 81st session
- Session theme
- “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
Quotes
Humaiun Kobir
Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs
“I said it and my answer was India specific. We want a good working relationship with India. I think a bilateral visit first is a better thing. You don't do a multilateral visit first to the country you want to build a good working relationship with.”
NDTV
“The visit will take place when the timing is conducive and when discussions lead to a mutually acceptable timeframe. Once both sides agree on a suitable schedule, the visit will happen”
NDTV
Sources
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