No scope for Bangladesh to join Brics Summit, PM wasn’t invited: Humaiun

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir today (10 September) said there is no scope for Bangladesh to send a government representative to the Brics Summit, as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was not invited to the summit and the invitation was instead extended to the Bimstec chair.

"How shall we go? Has anyone from the Bangladesh government been invited? Our prime minister was not invited. Who told you that our prime minister was invited? The Bimstec chair was invited. Then why are you asking this question?" he told reporters, ruling out the possibility of PM Tarique attending the Brics Summit.

Responding to a question at the Foreign Service Academy, Humaiun said PM Tarique's first visit to India cannot be a multilateral visit.

He said the government is working on arranging a bilateral visit to India when the timing is conducive, stressing that Bangladesh is placing greater emphasis on a bilateral visit by the prime minister and discussions.

Humaiun said such a bilateral visit will take place when the environment is conducive and mutual respect is maintained. "There is no need to rush things."

Responding to a question about the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty, the state minister said, "Wherever our national interest is involved, we will act with importance and competence. We will prioritise the interests and well-being of our country."

In April 2025, Bangladesh assumed the chairmanship of the regional grouping – Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) – for the next two years, reaffirming its commitment to advancing regional cooperation and development.

Bimstec consists of seven member countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

On 4 August, India confirmed that an invitation had been extended to PM Tarique to attend the Brics Summit as the Bimstec chair, while a separate bilateral invitation has been in place since February this year.

"You would be aware that a formal invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India was extended when he assumed office in February 2026," said Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing in New Delhi recently.

As far as the Brics Summit is concerned, he said India has separately extended an invitation to the Bangladesh prime minister in his capacity as the current chair of Bimstec to attend the outreach session of the 18th Brics Summit in New Delhi.

"The invitation has been extended as per the standard practice being followed in Brics for the outreach sessions. Other heads of regional groups have also been invited in a similar manner," the spokesperson said.

Brics member states and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will attend the Brics Summit to be held in New Delhi on 12-13 September.