Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Attendance at BRICS Summit in Doubt: Tensions with India Rise
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that he will not attend the upcoming BRICS summit or visit India unless India extradites former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back to Bangladesh. This information was shared during a recent meeting between Rahman and India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, in Dhaka.
The meeting, held on August 10, comes in the wake of rising tensions between the two neighboring countries, which have been working to strengthen their relationship after Hasina sought asylum in India two years ago.
Rahman’s strict stance seems to stem from a press conference held by Hasina and her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, on August 5. During this event, Hasina expressed her desire to return to Bangladesh in December, stating her concerns for her safety. This bold declaration has clearly upset the current Bangladeshi government, indicating that any discussions about future visits are now closely linked to the issue of Hasina’s extradition.
Sources indicate that while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously extended a warm invitation to Rahman following his election victory in February, the situation has since changed. Modi’s invitation was connected to Rahman’s role as Chair of a regional grouping but the recent press conference has complicated matters.
India has distanced itself from the August 5 press conference, emphasizing that it was not involved in planning the event. However, the fallout from the conference still looms large. When the head of India’s external intelligence agency, R&AW, visited Dhaka shortly after, it was evident that the atmosphere had shifted dramatically.
In his meeting with Trivedi, Rahman made it clear that any visit to India by him would be conditional upon the extradition of Hasina. Despite Trivedi’s attempts to foster understanding and improvement in bilateral relations, Rahman remained firm on his position.
After the meeting, Trivedi publicly portrayed the discussions as a step towards rebuilding a collaborative relationship, stating that there were no insurmountable issues between the two nations. However, Trivedi has also reportedly informed PM Modi about the new challenges in relations with Bangladesh.
Both countries are now navigating this sensitive situation, understanding that cooperation is essential in a changing global landscape. With Bangladesh at the forefront of India’s “Look East” policy, Rahman’s hardened stance brings unexpected challenges for future diplomatic efforts.
As the situation develops, experts note that India’s longstanding ties with Hasina, the daughter of a revered leader, add complexity to this diplomatic puzzle. India is committed to maintaining good relations with both leaders while addressing security concerns on its eastern borders.
