Bangladesh has clarified that its invitation to the BRICS summit in New Delhi is linked to the country's role as chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and should not be interpreted as a separate personal invitation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said on Monday that Dhaka had received two separate invitations from India — one for a bilateral visit by Tarique Rahman and another for the BIMSTEC chairperson to attend the BRICS summit scheduled for September 12 and 13.

Bangladesh has not yet decided whether Tarique will travel to New Delhi for the summit.

Two Separate Invitations

Khalil made the clarification after Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat in Dhaka.

The foreign minister said the invitation for the BRICS summit was addressed to Bangladesh in its capacity as the current chair of BIMSTEC. The organisation's secretariat is based in Dhaka.

Khalil also said India had separately invited Tarique for a bilateral visit, but the Bangladeshi prime minister has not yet travelled to India.

Asked when that visit could take place, Khalil responded that he could not predict the exact timing.

The distinction is significant because the BRICS invitation has generated discussion over whether New Delhi had extended a fresh personal invitation to Tarique Rahman.

Other Regional Chairs Invited

Bangladesh is not the only country invited to the BRICS summit through its role in a regional organisation.

According to Khalil, other regional group chairs have also received invitations. The Philippines, as chair of ASEAN, and Bahrain, as chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council, have been invited in their respective capacities.

Burundi, which chairs the African Union, has similarly been invited.

The arrangement indicates that the BRICS outreach includes representatives of regional organisations in addition to participating member countries and other invited leaders.

Sheikh Hasina Extradition Issue

The meeting between Trivedi and Tarique also covered several bilateral issues, including Bangladesh's request for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India.

Khalil said Dhaka had urged New Delhi to expedite the extradition process and expressed hope that India would respond positively.

Bangladesh has previously sought Hasina's return in connection with cases filed against her following the political upheaval in the country.

The issue remains one of the sensitive points in India-Bangladesh relations.

Suspects in Hadi Killing

The two sides also discussed the return of suspects wanted in connection with the killing of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.

Khalil said Bangladesh had provided documents requested by India and urged New Delhi to extradite the suspects.

The issue adds another legal and security dimension to ongoing discussions between the two countries.

India Pushes for Direct Dialogue

The meeting came a day after Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi said direct dialogue between the leaders of India and Bangladesh could help resolve outstanding bilateral issues.

Speaking to journalists in Dhaka on August 10 after inaugurating a children's playing area at the Indian Visa Application Centre, Trivedi said a meeting between the two prime ministers could help address bilateral problems.

He emphasised that dialogue remained the most effective way to resolve disputes between neighbouring countries.

Trivedi also described the relationship in positive terms, saying there was “nothing negative” and expressing confidence that outstanding issues could be addressed through engagement.

What Happens Next?

The immediate question is whether Tarique Rahman will travel to New Delhi for the September BRICS summit.

Bangladesh has yet to make a final decision.

Any visit could provide an opportunity for the two sides to discuss sensitive issues, including Hasina's extradition, the return of wanted suspects, trade, border management and broader bilateral relations.

For now, Dhaka's position is that the BRICS invitation is connected to Bangladesh's BIMSTEC chairmanship, while Tarique's bilateral visit to India remains a separate matter.