Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman’s India Visit Awaits Final Decision

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India has not yet been finalised, with the timing dependent on his schedule and the progress of ongoing bilateral discussions, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at the foreign office, Shama said the government was positive about visits to other countries but stressed that arrangements would depend on the prime minister’s commitments and the status of discussions with India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Rahman to New Delhi for the outreach session of the upcoming BRICS Summit, scheduled for September 12-13. The invitation has been extended in Rahman’s capacity as the current chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

India has also extended a separate invitation for a bilateral visit, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said earlier this week.

“BRICS is still a long way off. A lot can happen in a month,” Shama said, adding that Rahman’s schedule was currently packed with domestic programmes and upcoming constitutional activities.

India-Bangladesh relations have faced considerable strain since the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024. Efforts to rebuild ties gained momentum after Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri represented India at Rahman’s inauguration in Dhaka on February 17.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman also visited India in April as part of diplomatic efforts to repair relations following months of tensions. However, the extradition of Hasina remains a major issue between the two countries. Dhaka has demanded her return to face legal proceedings, while Hasina remains in India.

Asked whether Rahman’s India visit could help ease tensions, Shama said direct communication between the two leaders could create an opportunity to address outstanding issues and resolve bilateral differences.

She said the opportunity for dialogue “remains” whenever the heads of two countries meet.