India again invites Tarique Rahman for bilateral visit, BRICS Outreach session
The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled for 12-13 September, with an Outreach session involving invited non-BRICS countries and organisations.
India has once again invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for a bilateral visit and to attend the BRICS Summit's Outreach session in New Delhi, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said today (14 August).
"We extended an invitation to the prime minister of Bangladesh for a bilateral visit," Jaiswal said at a media briefing.
"We also extended an invitation to the Bangladesh prime minister for a visit to India for the BRICS Outreach session. We shall keep you updated if there is any progress in this regard," he added.
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The BRICS Summit will be hosted by India, the current chair of the grouping, in New Delhi in September. The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled for 12-13 September, with an Outreach session involving invited non-BRICS countries and organisations.
Asked how India could help Bangladesh address its ongoing energy crisis, Jaiswal said the two countries have an existing arrangement for diesel supplies.
"We have an ongoing arrangement with Bangladesh on diesel. This continues," he said.
"If there is any request from Bangladesh for additional requirements, it will be examined keeping in mind our own requirement, our refining capacity and the availability of diesel in our country," he added.
Earlier today, Indian media outlet NDTV reported that Tarique is likely to visit New Delhi in the latter half of next week, citing sources in Dhaka and New Delhi.
However, a senior Bangladesh foreign ministry official told The Business Standard that the proposed visit remains under consideration and no date has yet been finalised.
Asked whether the visit would take place during the BRICS Summit or before it, the official said no decision had been made.
If finalised, the visit would be Tarique's first trip to India since becoming prime minister and could mark an important step in strengthening ties between the two neighbouring countries.
According to NDTV, Tarique is expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the proposed two-day bilateral visit. Discussions are likely to cover trade, connectivity, energy, border management and regional security, although the detailed itinerary has yet to be finalised.
India had earlier confirmed that it had invited Tarique to attend the BRICS Summit's Outreach session in his capacity as chair of BIMSTEC. A separate invitation for a bilateral visit had already been extended after he assumed office in February 2026.
The BRICS grouping currently comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Indonesia, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia.
