Dhaka: Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has said the government is reviewing the invitation extended to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi as a special guest.
“We’re currently reviewing it. We will take a decision and inform you immediately once that decision is made,” he told journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on him.
Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kobir was also present during the briefing.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12-13.
The Foreign Minister said the Prime Minister has received several invitations for overseas visits, while his participation in the United Nations General Assembly in New York also needs to be considered before finalising his foreign engagements.
“There are several invitations. At the same time, the Prime Minister will attend the General Assembly in New York. So, we have to consider all these engagements together,” he said.
Referring to his recent meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in Manila, Khalilur Rahman said both sides expressed optimism that Bangladesh and India would continue working to strengthen bilateral relations in the coming days.
Earlier, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi said New Delhi was looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India and hoped the visit would take place soon.
“I think it is the Prime Minister’s prerogative. But from our side, I can say that we are eagerly looking forward to welcoming the head of the Bangladesh government to India. We hope the visit will take place very soon,” the envoy told reporters after separate meetings with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam.
Asked about the possible timing of the visit, Trivedi said it would depend on the Prime Minister’s priorities.
The invitation to the BRICS Summit comes amid renewed diplomatic engagement between Dhaka and New Delhi, with both countries expressing their willingness to further strengthen bilateral relations based on mutual interests.
