Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir said Tarique Rahman could visit India only after an appropriate environment is created through mutual trust, respect for sovereignty, diplomatic dialogue and a respectful invitation. In an August 17 interview at his official residence on Minto Road in Dhaka, Kabir said Bangladesh would not rush into a high-level visit before the BRICS summit scheduled in New Delhi on September 12-13.

Kabir described Indian media reports about the prime minister’s possible visit as speculative and unfounded. He said New Delhi needed to understand the reality of Bangladesh’s July uprising and clarify the basis on which it seeks relations with the elected government. He also objected to what he described as political or media space in India for Sheikh Hasina and other convicted or fugitive accused persons, saying Dhaka had lodged a diplomatic protest.

The adviser said Bangladesh is pursuing a “Bangladesh First” and balanced foreign policy. He cited possible engagement with a Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-Turkey framework, planned progress on a Riyadh visit, stronger trade diplomacy with the United States and European Union, and deeper strategic ties with China. He also said efforts were under way to reopen Malaysia’s labour market for Bangladeshi workers.