Sheikh Hasina Criticises Tarique Rahman’s Decision to Skip BRICS Summit, Citing Bangladesh’s National Interest

PTI, Oct 14, 2026, New Delhi: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s decision to skip the BRICS summit in India was “immature” and damaged Bangladesh’s national interest, warning that foreign policy driven by personal reactions or short-term political calculations is inherently counterproductive.

In an exclusive interview with PTI, Hasina said Bangladesh’s participation at the summit of the influential grouping could have opened up new opportunities for the country’s economic and social development, but that chance was lost.

Undeterred by the threat of a death sentence, the former prime minister insisted on returning to Bangladesh to continue her struggle for democracy, voting rights and the rule of law, saying, “Fear cannot decide my duty.”

Hasina said if her presence in New Delhi was the reason behind Rahman’s refusal to attend the summit, it was very unfortunate, as relations between two countries cannot be determined by personal considerations or political sensitivities involving one individual.

Questioning Rahman’s decision, Hasina said that a responsible government should “open doors for the country, not close them”.

New Delhi had extended an invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Rahman for the BRICS summit in his role as the current chair of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).

However, Rahman opted out of the summit, which took place in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.

“It was deeply unfortunate that Bangladesh chose not to participate. In my view, it was an immature decision and one that did not serve Bangladesh’s national interest,” Hasina said.

“BRICS is not simply a diplomatic gathering. It brings together major emerging economies and creates opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, technology and development. By participating, Bangladesh could have gained valuable experience and opened new opportunities for its own economic and social development. That opportunity was lost,” she said.

As Prime Minister, Hasina had attended the BRICS Summit hosted by India in October 2016.

The former prime minister said foreign policy cannot be conducted through personal reaction or short-term political calculation.

“India is our closest neighbour and an important historic partner, but BRICS engagement is also about Bangladesh’s own place in the international community,” she noted.

The 78-year-old Hasina, living in Delhi since she left Bangladesh following the collapse of her government in August 2024 in the face of a massive anti-government agitation, also recalled how then Prime Minister Ziaur Rahman visited New Delhi in 1979 when she was staying in India.

“After the assassination of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with members of my family on August 15, 1975, and the killing of the four national leaders inside Dhaka Central Jail on November 3, Ziaur Rahman came to power through an unconstitutional process,” Hasina said in response to written questions.

“Yet when he visited Delhi in 1979, I was living in Delhi. When he travelled to London in 1980, I was also in London. My presence in either city did not prevent him from travelling there,” she said.

“So why should my presence in Delhi prevent Ziaur Rahman’s son, Tarique Rahman, from coming to India today? What is the real reason behind such a decision?” she asked.

“Relations between two countries cannot be determined by personal considerations or political sensitivities involving one individual,” she said, while also highlighting how her government’s foreign policy approach helped Bangladesh’s economic growth.