India had extended two separate invitations to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman — one for a bilateral visit and another to attend the BRICS Summit in his capacity as the Chair of BIMSTEC, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during the ministry’s biweekly media briefing in New Delhi.
Responding to a question on whether an invitation had been sent to the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Jaiswal said India had first invited Tarique Rahman for a bilateral visit and subsequently invited him to participate in the BRICS Summit as BIMSTEC Chair.
“We had invited the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for a bilateral visit. Subsequently, he was also invited to attend the BRICS Summit in his capacity as the Chair of BIMSTEC. Therefore, he had received two invitations – one for a bilateral visit and the other for participation in the BRICS Summit,” Jaiswal said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said the proposed visit would take place when both sides agree on a mutually acceptable timeframe.
He described the relationship between the two countries as a “working relationship” and “a work in progress”, adding that both sides were working towards resetting bilateral ties.
Kobir also highlighted Bangladesh’s role as the current Chair of BIMSTEC. He said Dhaka intends to host a BIMSTEC Summit in 2027.
India and Bangladesh have been engaged in efforts to advance bilateral ties following political developments in Bangladesh in August 2024.
-ANI
