Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is unlikely to visit India next month for the BRICS Summit unless New Delhi fosters a suitable atmosphere grounded in mutual trust and issues a dignified invitation, according to his Foreign Affairs Adviser, Humaiun Kobir.
He stated that Dhaka is not rushing to organize a high-level visit in the absence of a clearly defined national framework.
There is no valid reason to hasten a high-level visit at the expense of national interests," Kobir said in an interview with the state-run BSS news agency, published on Thursday. The interview took place on August 17.
The remarks were made as uncertainty persisted over Rahman’s trip to New Delhi for the BRICS summit on September 12–13, against the backdrop of renewed tensions in bilateral relations stemming from Dhaka’s demand for the extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Kobir stated that the chances of the Prime Minister traveling to India before the forthcoming BRICS Summit are low, unless a suitable atmosphere is established through mutual agreement between the two countries on certain issues and a respectful invitation is extended.
However, he said, Bangladesh could take a positive view of participating in the BRICS Summit if an "appropriate" bilateral environment is created based on "mutual trust" and consensus between the two countries.
On Tuesday, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has indicated the necessity for a meeting between the two leaders and expressed his desire for the planned visit of his Bangladeshi counterpart Rahman to India to be "memorable".
He added that it could be communicated on his behalf that the prime minister of India guarantees that when the honourable prime minister of Bangladesh visits India, he will receive the dignified and respectful welcome he deserves. He made these remarks at a reception hosted by the Indian High Commission for prominent Bangladeshi business leaders and a visiting delegation from the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Kobir, who also serves as the Joint Secretary General of the ruling BNP’s International Affairs Committee, stated that the future trajectory of Bangladesh-India relations, as well as any potential visit by Prime Minister Rahman, would hinge on a shift in the Indian leadership’s approach and its perception of the political developments in Bangladesh.
Referring to the youth-led protest in 2024 that resulted in the collapse of the Hasina-led Awami League government, he said that India must “properly understand the reality” of those events and the sacrifices made during the movement.
The adviser also voiced displeasure that ousted Prime Minister Hasina, who fled to India after the political turmoil, was permitted to use Indian soil for political activities and media engagements.
He stated that the matter has sparked anger in Bangladesh and claimed that granting political or media platforms to individuals facing criminal charges or convictions is inconsistent with India’s democratic norms.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that it was not involved in the media event related to Hasina and does not support any of the remarks made there about the Bangladesh government.
He said the Bangladesh government has already filed diplomatic protests with India over the issue and will continue to rely on diplomatic channels to stop what it has termed anti-Bangladesh activities originating from Indian territory.
In November 2025, a special tribunal in Bangladesh sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for alleged "crimes against humanity" linked to the crackdown on protesters during the youth-led movement.
Dhaka has continued to pursue Hasina’s extradition from India, while New Delhi asserts that the request is being reviewed in line with relevant laws and established legal procedures.
