Sheikh Hasina criticizes Bangladesh PM for skipping BRICS summit

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has criticized Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s decision to skip the BRICS summit held in New Delhi on September 12–13. Hasina described the choice as “immature” and argued that it harmed Bangladesh’s national interest by missing opportunities for economic and social development.

Rahman had been invited to the summit in his capacity as the current chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Hasina suggested that if the decision was motivated by personal sensitivities regarding her presence in New Delhi, it was a mistake, noting that international relations should not be dictated by personal considerations.

She emphasized that BRICS provides a platform for cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, and technology, and warned that foreign policy should focus on opening doors for the country rather than being driven by short-term political calculations.