The chances of a visit to India by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman before the Brics Summit are “very slim” and the issue will depend on a “change in the mindset” of the Indian leadership, a top aide of Rahman has said.
Humayun Kabir, the foreign affairs adviser to the PM, said in an interview with state-run BSS news agency that Bangladesh will show a “positive attitude” towards participating in the Brics Summit if a “suitable environment is created based on consensus” between the two countries.
“It is necessary to be sure what kind of relationship India wants to build with the elected government in Bangladesh with a mandate of two-thirds of the people. “Relations between the two countries and the high-level visit of the head of the Bangladesh government depend on the change in the mindset or perspective of the current leadership of India. The neighbouring country must correctly understand the reality of the July mass uprising in Bangladesh that resulted in the sacrifice of more than 1,500 people,” he said, referring to the student-led protests in July-August 2024 that unseated the Sheikh Hasina government. The Indian government distanced itself from a virtual news conference by Hasina on August 5 and said it didn’t endorse the views aired by her at that event.
There is no justification for a hasty summit visit beyond national interests,” he said in the interview published in Bengali. Kabir referred to what he described as “rumours” in the Indian media about Rahman’s visit before the Brics Summit to be held in New Delhi during September 12-13, and said Bangladesh has “adopted a policy of not rushing things at the moment, maintaining specific national interests”. Kabir said the BNP government has a balanced foreign policy in line with its “Bangladesh First”. Bangladesh is in a “positive position” to join a potential economic or defence framework formed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, he said without going into details.
“Unless a suitable environment is created based on consensus between both countries on specific issues and a respectful invitation, the chances of the Prime Minister’s visit to India before the upcoming BRICS summit are very slim.
