Bangladesh envoy plays down tensions over Tarique Rahman's BRICS absence

"There's a certain context and certain circumstances which actually kind of led to the decision for the Prime Minister not being able to come and join," Dhaka's High Commissioner to India M Riaz Hamidullah has said.

Hamidullah yesterday (11 September) told India Today channel that Rahman's absence was not a straightforward rejection of the BRICS invitation.

Hamidullah also said the issue had involved discussions between the two sides for several weeks.

"I think not only you, I think many others in Delhi, particularly the principals involved in the whole process, they have, they know it's been quite a back and forth over the past few weeks," he said.

Asked whether those conversations had been difficult, Hamidullah said "that's why diplomats are known as strange animals."

"You're sovereign to your characterisation of refusal. I don't think I'll go or anyone would go to that," Hamidullah said when asked why Rahman did not travel to India.

Tarique Rahman was invited to the BRICS summit outreach session as Bangladesh is currently the chairman of BIMSTEC, which was invited to the BRICS Summit as a regional organisation.

Hamidullah stressed that BIMSTEC's presence at the summit was appropriate, particularly because the BRICS meeting was being held in South Asia.

The envoy argued that Bangladesh's engagement with India should not be reduced to the question of one political figure. He described the relationship between the two countries as "very organic", spanning economic, social and cultural ties between their peoples.

Asked whether one person could hold the India-Bangladesh relationship hostage, Hamidullah said "if these are not addressed I think it would get difficult for any country to move," he said.