BRICS invite puts Bangladesh in focus

The invitation extended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his Bangladeshi counterpart, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi has renewed attention on Bangladesh’s future engagement with the influential grouping of emerging economies.

Diplomats and analysts say any decision to participate should be supported by careful preparation and a clearly defined national agenda, in line with the government’s “Bangladesh First” foreign policy.

The summit, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, would see Bangladesh participate as a special observer rather than as a member of BRICS, should it accept the invitation.

However, the government has yet to decide whether the Prime Minister will attend.

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday that no decision had been taken and that preliminary discussions had not yet begun.

Responding to questions during the weekly media briefing at the Secretariat, Zahed said, “The first question depends on whether he (the Prime Minister) will attend the BRICS summit.

This decision has not been made yet. We are not a member of BRICS, and we are being invited there as an observer.”

“I am not aware that the initial talks on this decision have even begun in that sense. A decision will be taken in due course,” he added.

Referring to Bangladesh’s broader foreign policy approach, Zahed said, “No specific decision has been made so far. There are thoughts of getting connected wherever multilateral platforms exist.”

He noted that a previous government had also explored the possibility
of joining BRICS, adding, “This is still under review, and we’ll weigh it further. The government will take whatever decision serves the public’s interest.”

Diplomatic observers believe participation in the summit would offer Bangladesh an opportunity to engage not only with India but also with leaders of major emerging economies, including China, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

Although the visit would primarily be for the multilateral summit rather than a bilateral engagement, officials expect that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman could hold a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines if Bangladesh decides to attend.

Such a meeting could provide an important opportunity to discuss outstanding bilateral issues while exploring ways to strengthen regional cooperation.

International relations analyst Dr Imtiaz Ahmed said Bangladesh should approach the invitation strategically rather than treating it as merely a ceremonial occasion.

“The visit should not be ceremonial. The government should do proper homework before joining BRICS,” he told The New Nation.

He said the government should first determine what it intends to achieve through participation.

“If the government accepts the invitation and goes there only to see the event, it will draw criticism from the opposition.

The visit should be productive,” he said.
Imtiaz stressed the importance of diplomatic groundwork ahead of the summit.

“If necessary, Bangladesh should work through back channels before joining the BRICS event in Delhi. The visit should not backfire if it cannot generate any outcome for the country,” he said.

He also urged Bangladesh to continue pursuing closer engagement with BRICS, describing it as an increasingly significant platform for emerging and developing economies.

“Bangladesh should pay attention to getting membership of BRICS. It is a major economic platform of emerging markets and developing countries. It serves as a useful forum for consultation and cooperation on global political and economic governance,” he said.

According to Imtiaz, the evolving international order requires Bangladesh to engage with multiple global platforms while consistently safeguarding its national interests.

“The world is now heading towards a multidimensional framework. Many BRICS members also maintain good relations with the United States. Bangladesh should always keep its national interests first,” he observed.

He further noted that regional dynamics were becoming increasingly cooperative.

“Geopolitical confrontation is gradually turning towards geopolitical cooperation in this region. China and India are also moving towards greater cooperation. Bangladesh should enter this platform in any form.

There is still time for the government, so proper homework is necessary before joining,” he added.

Diplomatic sources said that, if the Prime Minister attends the summit, Bangladesh is expected to raise several key bilateral issues with India, including the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, which is due to expire on December 31 this year.

Other issues likely to feature in the discussions include energy cooperation, border management, visa facilitation, trade and connectivity.

Analysts believe the impending expiry of the 30-year Ganges Water Sharing Treaty provides Bangladesh with an additional incentive to engage New Delhi at the highest political level.

They argue that early negotiations on renewing the agreement will be crucial to ensuring adequate dry-season water flows into Bangladesh.

The invitation also comes amid improving Bangladesh-India relations following the formation of the BNP-led government earlier this year, after a period of strained ties during the tenure of the interim administration.

Diplomatic observers believe that participation in the New Delhi summit, if approved, could strengthen Bangladesh’s engagement with both BRICS and India, provided the government approaches the meeting with clearly defined priorities, thorough diplomatic preparation and realistic expectations.