Jaishwal sidesteps questions over invitation to Tariq Rahman as BIMSTEC Chair

National

Dhaka Magazine Desk

Published: Saturday, 01 August 2026

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tariq Rahman to participate in the 'Outreach' session of the BRICS Summit to be held in New Delhi. The invitation to Bangladesh's Prime Minister was extended in his capacity as the Chair of BIMSTEC. Regarding this, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaishwal avoided giving a direct answer.

At the weekly briefing of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on Friday, a journalist raised the issue. The journalist asked, "Some comments from Bangladesh have said that in the invitation sent to Prime Minister Tariq Rahman, his title 'Prime Minister' was not used, and he was addressed as 'BIMSTEC Chair,' which they consider insulting. Could you clarify what the invitation sent to Tariq Rahman was like?"

Without giving a direct answer to this question, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said, "Regarding your question about the BRICS invitation, we are preparing to host the BRICS Summit. It is being organized with full preparation. We will provide you with updates on the invitation and technical matters later."

During the briefing, another journalist asked about the ongoing Bangladesh visit of US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor. The journalist asked, "The US Ambassador to India is currently on a three-day visit to Bangladesh, where he is scheduled to meet with the Foreign Minister and other high-ranking officials. My question is, is there any practice where the US Ambassador informs Indian authorities about his regional activities? Because he is also the Special Envoy for South and Central Asia. Is there any mechanism through which you learn what he is doing in various countries, or does he operate completely independently without consulting Indian hosts?"

In response, Jaishwal said, "The answer to your first question about the US Ambassador's Dhaka visit should be given by the US Embassy or the Bangladesh government, because it is a matter between those two countries."

Later, another journalist inquired about the meeting between the US Ambassador and the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka. He asked, "The US Ambassador to India met with the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka this morning. I hope you are aware of this meeting. Could you share anything about what discussions or exchanges took place there?"

In response, Randhir Jaishwal said, "I do not have any information regarding the meeting between the US Ambassador and the High Commissioner. However, if I receive any information on this matter, I will certainly let you know."