By Imtiaz Ahmed and Samia Tabassum
The relations between Dhaka and New Delhi that suffered heavily through the ungracious departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is most likely to get an impetus through the maiden visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India in September, diplomatic sources in Dhaka, New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai said…….
Bangladesh-India multilateral relations reached a historic low during one and half a years’ tenure of the interim government, headed by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.
However, Dhaka is examining the pros and cons of the prospective visit of Prime Minister Trique Rahman to India looking at regional and international situations and geopolitical interests, sources said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the 18th BRICS Summit as a special guest in New Delhi on September 12-13, said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Thursday.
India, which is set to host the 18th BRICS Summit, has invited the Bangladesh premier to the gathering although Bangladesh is not a member of the grouping.
BRICS comprises Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, while its partner countries include Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
Most heads of the states and governments of BRICS members— Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates—will grace the summit and Bangladesh Prime Minister will have an opportunity to meet them and discuss the matters of mutual interest ….
In view of the middle-east war and global energy crisis, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is likely to represent Bangladesh at the BRICS summit and discuss contemporary issues with participating countries on the sidelines of the summit.
Though this is not a bilateral visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India, he is likely to meet Indian Prime Minister Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 18th BRICS Summit.
Both Dhaka and New Delhi have expressed desire to rebuild and regroup the relations based on mutual trust, respect and dignity after the Bangladesh Nationalist Parliament (BNP) swept the two-thirds majority in the parliament election held on February 12,2026.
Meanwhile, the economic engagement with India is hovering around 25-30 billion US dollars considering the bilateral trade, spending by Bangladeshis tourists, patients and several thousand Bangladeshi students pursuing education, said Bangladesh diplomats in Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai.
Bangladesh Bank, National Board of Revenue and the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics don’t have the capacity and necessary resources on the estimation of expenses by Bangladeshi tourists, patients and students…The cost of the estimation is likely 10-15 billion US dollars, said a number of bankers and economists.
Besides, thousands of Indians working in Bangladesh send home 3.00—4.00 US dollars every year as trained, experienced, skilled Indians, Sri Lankan, Chinese and Filipinos are working in the service sectors of Bangladesh, reliable sources said
The Indian policymakers should come to the reality, engage with the mainstream society of Bangladesh and work on reaching Dhaka-New Delhi relations to a new height, said diplomats, policymakers, business leaders and civil society members.
India has strong trade relations with Bangladesh, which is among its top 10 export destinations. In the last financial year, it sold goods including textiles, tea, coffee, auto parts, electricity, agriculture, iron, steel and plastics worth $11.1bn and imported readymade garments, leather and leather products, among other items, for $1.8bn.
Bangladesh is hugely dependent on India for raw cotton to supply its $47bn (exports) garment industry and Indian traders have said they expect to meet their export targets.
Former President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Abul Kashem said, “A country like Germany gets its people ready for jobs as per the demand of the industry. We should also adopt such a policy here.”
Pran-RFL Group director (marketing) Kamruzzaman Kamal said, “Our students are more into general education. The country now needs people for technical jobs, but we hardly get people with technical education.”
Many entrepreneurs have expressed their views that higher education after the higher secondary level should be limited and more people should be made familiar with the technical education sector……….
The Indian policymakers and business leaders should not be worried about the political change in Bangladesh and should remain engaged with Bangladesh positively to help flourish economic relations with Bangladesh, business leaders expressed this view while talking to this correspondent.
However, leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers and Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry(DCCI) , Bangladesh Knitwear Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association said India, China, USA and EU countries important trading partners of Bangladesh.
While talking to this correspondent, a leader of the BGMEA said that Bangladesh imports Indian cotton, fabrics and raw materials, produces garments and exports to the counties in USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, UK and EU countries……..
Meanwhile, Dhaka and New Delhi are also exploring the prospective schedule of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s bilateral visit to India at a mutually convenient time.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India at a mutually convenient time after the February polls.
In his letter, Modi conveyed warm regards to PM Tarique’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, expressing hope that they would accompany Tarique on the visit.
“A warm welcome awaits you in India,” Modi wrote, highlighting his commitment to further strengthening the longstanding ties and cooperation between the two neighboring countries. Modi also congratulated Tarique Rahman on his electoral victory, describing it as a clear testament to the trust and confidence the people of Bangladesh have placed in his leadership.
