India Invites Bangladesh PM to 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
India has invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026. This invitation comes amid strained bilateral relations, as former PM Sheikh Hasina remains in India, and Tarique has been cautious about visiting due to potential domestic backlash. Bangladesh also aspires to join BRICS and has received support from China and Russia.
Background
India previously invited Bangladesh to the BRICS summit in 2016 as a BIMSTEC member for an outreach session. BRICS currently includes Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE. The 17th summit was held in Rio de Janeiro in July 2025.
Key facts
India invited Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman to the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026.
Bangladesh state minister for foreign affairs Shama Obaed Islam confirmed receipt of the invitation.
PM Narendra Modi had invited Tarique in February 2026 after he took office.
Tarique has been hesitant to visit India while former PM Sheikh Hasina remains in India, fearing domestic backlash.
Bangladesh aspires to become a BRICS member and has received support from China and Russia.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to attend the summit.
Tarique recently visited Malaysia and China, and plans to visit Japan and the US for the UN General Assembly.
India's BRICS chairship theme is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar met Bangladesh foreign minister Khalilur Rahman in Manila on July 24, 2026.
BRICS members include Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE.
Prelims pointers
- 18th BRICS Summit: September 12-13, 2026, New Delhi
- BRICS members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Indonesia
- India's BRICS chairship theme: 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'
- BIMSTEC: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
- ASEAN Regional Forum: key forum for security dialogue in Asia-Pacific
Mains angles
- Analyze the strategic implications of India's invitation to Bangladesh for the BRICS summit amid bilateral tensions.
- Discuss the role of BRICS in global governance and its expansion to include new members like Bangladesh.
- Examine the impact of domestic politics on India-Bangladesh relations, particularly the issue of Sheikh Hasina's presence in India.