United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has urged BIMSTEC member states to remain committed to regional cooperation despite bilateral differences and tensions, stressing the need for mutual trust, political will and a shared sense of purpose. “Let us not walk out of regional cooperation regardless of differences. We must have the tenacity. We must have the vision to digest difficult challenges, difficult tensions, and difficult dialogue to make regional cooperation a success with mutual trust, political will, and a shared sense of purpose,” he said while speaking at a reception on Monday night. Secretary-General of BIMSTEC Indra Mani Pandey and Sushma Pandey hosted the reception at a hotel in Dhaka, marking the BIMSTEC Secretariat Establishment Day. Diplomats, including representatives from the BIMSTEC countries, business leaders, civil society members, and senior journalists, were present. Kobir said Bangladesh would work closely with all member states and the Secretariat in the coming months to advance implementation across mechanisms and prepare for the next BIMSTEC Summit, which Bangladesh is expected to host in Dhaka in 2027. The gathering of the heads of state and government in Dhaka will provide an important opportunity to review progress, set new priorities, and provide further political direction to the common regional agenda, he said. “For BIMSTEC to be successful, we must not dwell on bilateral tensions but widen the net of engagement,” Kobir said. The State Minister said BIMSTEC could become an even more dynamic bridge between South and Southeast Asia and a strong force for regional peace, progress, and sustainable development. “I am confident that BIMSTEC can become an even more dynamic bridge between South and Southeast Asia and a strong force for regional peace, progress, and sustainable development,” Kobir said. On behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh, he extended warm felicitations to the governments and peoples of all BIMSTEC member states on the occasion. He also appreciated the BIMSTEC Secretary General and the Secretariat team for their steadfast commitment and continued service to the shared regional endeavour. Kobir said the establishment of the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka 12 years ago was a defining step in the institutional development of the regional grouping. Over the past 12 years, he said, the Secretariat has evolved into the central coordinating hub of BIMSTEC, supporting member states, facilitating sectoral cooperation, preserving institutional continuity and helping translate decisions of leaders and ministers into practical programmes. “Bangladesh is proud to host this regional institution and remains committed to providing the support necessary for it to discharge its responsibilities effectively,” he said. The State Minister said the Bay of Bengal had connected peoples of South and Southeast Asia for centuries, long before the emergence of modern regionalism. “This Bay carried culture, knowledge, faith, and human interaction between South and Southeast Asia. BIMSTEC gives contemporary institutional form to those historic connections,” he said. The seven BIMSTEC member states - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand - together represent a vast pool of people, resources, talent and economic potential. “Our task is to transform this shared geography into shared prosperity,” Kobir said. He noted that economic uncertainty, fragmented supply chains, climate change, energy insecurity, public health risks, cyber threats, transnational crime, and humanitarian challenges do not respect national borders. “No country can address them effectively in isolation. A stronger BIMSTEC is therefore not simply desirable; it is a strategic necessity for the peace, resilience, and prosperity of our region,” he said. Referring to the 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok on April 4, 2025, Kobir said it had provided renewed momentum to the regional process through the adoption of the Bangkok Vision 2030, the BIMSTEC Rules of Procedure and the report of the Eminent Persons Group. The signing of the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation and important partnerships with international organisations also provided a stronger institutional and strategic foundation for the future, he said. “Our responsibility now is to move decisively from adoption to implementation, from declarations to delivery,” Kobir said. Bangladesh assumed the BIMSTEC chairmanship with a clear commitment to making the organisation more functional, visible, inclusive, and, importantly, people-centred, he said. “Our approach is guided by practical cooperation and measurable outcomes,” he said. As the lead country for trade, investment and development, including the blue economy, Bangladesh attaches particular importance to strengthening regional economic integration, expanding connectivity, promoting sustainable use of marine resources and creating opportunities for businesses and people, Kobir said. He said progress towards the BIMSTEC Free Trade Area remains essential. “More than two decades after the framework agreement, our region still trades far below its potential,” he said, calling for renewed political and technical momentum to conclude constituent agreements, reduce barriers to trade, improve customs and logistics cooperation, strengthen regional value chains and create a more enabling environment for investment and enterprise. “We should have the vision to look at an integrated economic market for the BIMSTEC region,” Kobir said. He also highlighted the importance of the blue economy, describing the Bay of Bengal as one of the region's greatest shared assets. “Connectivity must remain at the heart of the BIMSTEC project,” he said. “What we now need is sustained implementation, innovative financing, and stronger engagement with the private sector and our development partners,” Kobir said. He stressed that prosperity must rest on the foundation of peace and security. Cooperation in counterterrorism, transnational crime, human trafficking, narcotics, cybersecurity, disaster management, and maritime security is therefore indispensable, he said. “We must develop trust and strengthen our cooperation further,” Kobir said. He also underscored the importance of people-to-people connectivity through tourism, education, culture, youth exchanges, professional networks, think-tank cooperation, innovation, and greater interaction among private sectors. “BIMSTEC must become not only an intergovernmental process but also a living regional community,” he said. As the current chair and host country of the BIMSTEC Secretariat, Bangladesh’s responsibility extends beyond convening meetings, Kobir said. He described regional instruments such as BIMSTEC as important diplomatic enablers for wider regional engagement and cooperation. “Let this anniversary be more than a celebration of the past. Let it be a renewed commitment to the future - a future in which the Bay of Bengal is peaceful, connected, resilient and prosperous, where cooperation creates opportunities for every member state and where BIMSTEC delivers practical benefits to the people it was created to serve,” he said. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to BIMSTEC and the Secretariat in Dhaka, saying the government deeply values the contribution of the Secretary General and his team and will continue working with all member states to strengthen the Secretariat’s capacity and institutional effectiveness.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday recalled the successful visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to China and expressed appreciation for China’s continued support for Bangladesh’s development, particularly in infrastructure development, human resources development and capacity-building. She made the remarks when Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on her at her office. During the meeting, the ambassador highlighted the significant progress made in bilateral relations in recent years. The two sides exchanged views on a wide range of areas of mutual interest and cooperation, including the Bangladesh-China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, the Chinese Economic Zone, the development of Mongla Port, the proposed 1,000-bed hospital in Rangpur, education and human resources development, people-to-people exchanges, cooperation in energy like renewables, and women’s empowerment. The ambassador also invited the state minister to visit China at a mutually convenient time, leading a delegation of women entrepreneurs from Bangladesh. Shama Obaed warmly welcomed the invitation and expressed her appreciation for the initiative.

An agreement (host country agreement) between the government of Sri Lanka and the BIMSTEC Secretariat was signed in Colombo recently for establishing the “BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility” in Sri Lanka, marking a significant milestone in advancing regional cooperation in science, technology and innovation. The agreement was signed by ML Gammampila, secretary (acting) of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Sri Lanka, on behalf of his government, and Indra Mani Pandey, BIMSTEC secretary general, on behalf of the BIMSTEC Secretariat. The signing of the host country agreement reflects the shared commitment of the BIMSTEC states to strengthening cooperation in science, technology and innovation, including through creating mechanisms to support technology transfer for the benefit of the member states, said a media release on Monday. The signing of the agreement marks the final step towards operationalisation of the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility, realising the long-standing commitment to establishing a functioning regional mechanism for facilitating technology transfer. A Governing Board of the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility has been constituted, and the Board convened its first meeting virtually on August 3 in Colombo. As the lead country for the science, technology and innovation sector and host country of the facility, Sri Lanka will coordinate with the member states, through the BIMSTEC Secretariat, to develop a common Intellectual Property Framework to facilitate technology transfer among the BIMSTEC member states. The proposed framework will be further discussed at the subsequent meeting of the Governing Board. Sri Lanka will also announce the appointment of the Executive Director of the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility at that meeting. As the host country, Sri Lanka will play the role of anchor in operationalisation of the facility, in close cooperation with the BIMSTEC Secretariat and the member states. BIMSTEC comprises seven countries of the Bay of Bengal region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md Shafiqur Rahman has stressed the need to create young entrepreneurs in technology, tourism and other creative sectors to harness Asia’s growing economic potential. He made the remarks while addressing the 7th edition of the Asian Professional Excellence Award 2026 as a special guest at a local hotel in Kathmandu on Sunday. Former Nepali President Dr Ram Baran Yadav attended the event as the chief guest. The event, hosted by Season Media, brought together distinguished personalities from Nepal and several Asian countries, including Bangladesh, China, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, who have made notable contributions to industrial development, leadership, youth entrepreneurship, journalism, photography, banking, broadcasting and governance.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres told leaders of a bloc of major emerging economies in New Delhi on Sunday that a more balanced global order requires an overhaul of the institutions built after the Second World War, including the UN Security Council. The group – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and several other nations that have also signed on – was founded to give major developing economies a stronger voice in a global system long dominated by Western powers. This year's summit, hosted by India, has drawn heads of state alongside the leaders of the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization. “Today's economic, demographic and geopolitical realities are not those of 1945,” Guterres said. “Our institutional structures must reflect it.” He told the assembled leaders that they themselves embodied the change he was describing. "Countries represented at this Summit speak to that changing reality," he said, adding that “we are increasingly moving towards a multipolar world.” That shift, he argued, was something to embrace rather than resist. “Multipolarity helps bring balance and equity to global systems and institutions,” he said – but only if it comes with reform of bodies including the Security Council and the Bretton Woods system “to reflect the world of today.” Go for growth Guterres framed four priorities for what he called "inclusive global growth": financing, technology, climate justice and peace. On finance, he said developing countries “need massive international support” to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, and called for multilateral development banks to become “bigger, better and bolder.” On artificial intelligence, he warned the technology's benefits remained concentrated. “Its power sits with a few companies, in a few countries,” he said. “Unchecked, the AI divide will widen every other divide — in income, in opportunity, in security, and in sovereignty.” Dangerous climate His starkest language came on climate. “Scorching heat, devastating glacier melt, raging wildfires, devastating floods are all a preview,” he said, warning that “a supersized El Niño will only make matters worse” as the world approaches the 1.5-degree limit above pre-industrial levels. He pressed wealthy nations to honour existing pledges – $300 billion dollars a year, tripled adaptation finance, and greater loss and damage funding – and took aim at the handling of critical minerals: “Enough plundering.” On peace and security, he pointed to Gaza, the wider Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan, calling on states to uphold the UN Charter, including “sovereign equality,” territorial integrity and “peaceful settlement of disputes.” Collective responsibility He closed by casting the reform agenda as a shared project rather than a concession. “As we move irreversibly to a multipolar world, all countries must work to strengthen and safeguard a multilateral system that delivers for all with the United Nations at its centre,” he said.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Sunday said Bangladesh wants to “reset” its bilateral relationship with India after what he described as an uncomfortable relationship over 15 years under an “authoritarian, corrupt and exploitative” regime. “We want to move towards a new relationship, which should be done through bilateral discussions, not through a multilateral forum,” Kobir said while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Responding to a question, he said, “Breakfast in India, lunch in India, dinner in India - then when will you eat your own food?” “We have to get out of the India fascination. India is just another country, and Bangladesh wants good bilateral relations with it,” Kobir said. He said his earlier remarks specifically referred to India and the need to rebuild bilateral relations through direct bilateral engagement. “What I said was mainly applicable to India. We want to build a good working bilateral relationship with India,” he said. Kobir said Bangladesh’s first engagement with a country with which it wants to develop better relations should ideally be through a bilateral visit rather than a meeting on the sidelines of a multilateral forum. “That was said only in the case of India. I never said that whenever we attend a multilateral event, we will not meet anyone,” he said. He clarified, however, that this does not mean Bangladesh will avoid meeting countries on the sidelines of international forums. Asked about recent incidents along the Bangladesh-India border, Kobir said the government would address such issues through diplomatic channels. “We will resolve these issues through diplomatic discussions,” he said. He said Bangladesh would raise its concerns with India at every appropriate level while adhering to international law, border protocols and agreements between the two countries. Asked about the reported review of 101 MoUs, Kobir said the agreements were being scrutinised and reviewed through the parliamentary process. The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will once again bring together world leaders to revitalise global cooperation, give a critical push to the Sustainable Development Goals and drive collective action for peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet. The State Minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to leave for New York on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and will stay there until September 26. The Prime Minister is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly, where he will present Bangladesh’s new vision and highlight the country’s democratic transition and aspirations for the future. “He will share his thoughts and vision for the future of Bangladesh with world leaders,” Kobir told reporters. “He will have a very busy schedule in New York,” Kobir said, adding that the Prime Minister would hold meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Asked whether the UN Refugee Convention would be discussed during the visit, Kobir said Bangladesh would organise a sideline event focusing on the Rohingya crisis. “There will be a high-level discussion or meeting on the Rohingya crisis as part of the visit. It is a major priority for us,” he said. Asked about the possibility of a sideline meeting between the Prime Minister and US President Donald Trump, the state minister said such meetings are often decided at the last moment during major international conferences. “The primary focus of the Prime Minister’s visit is to address the UN General Assembly,” he said, adding that details of the sideline meetings would be known in due course.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has described the appointment of recently resigned Saima Wazed Putul to a senior position at the World Health Organization (WHO) as “very unfortunate”, alleging that she lacked the qualifications, experience and expertise required for such a high-level post. “It was not a surprise. Someone without any credible qualification, any credible expertise, just because she happens to be the daughter of (former PM) so-and-so, was given the appointment,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs questioning the appointment.  The State Minister described the appointment of Putul, daughter of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as regional director for Southeast Asia as a “shame” for international organisations and stressed the need for greater seriousness and scrutiny in selecting people for senior positions. “You need people who can lead the organisation. We need to be very serious about these appointments,” Kobir said. The State Minister said Bangladesh would support a candidate with appropriate qualifications in future, mentioning a candidate from the Maldives who, he said, has a good track record and strong credentials. “We hope that in the near future the organisation will be led by competent people,” he said. He said international organisations should not appoint individuals simply because they are connected to a particular political family or regime. “People should not be appointed simply on the grounds of being connected to a family or a regime,” he said, adding that such organisations have important institutional responsibilities and their leadership should have the necessary expertise and credentials. Referring to the WHO, Kobir said the organisation is highly important and therefore requires people with appropriate professional expertise to lead it. “If you put any kind of unqualified people in those positions, the outcome for the region and the world is not going to be good,” he said. The State Minister also referred to a candidate from the Maldives, saying he hoped that a person with stronger credentials would be selected for the position in the future. Kobir said that if irregularities or corruption were involved in appointments, such matters would eventually come to light. He reiterated that the credibility, experience and expertise of candidates should be carefully examined before making appointments to senior positions in international organisations. “Someone without credible qualifications, experience and expertise should not be appointed to such a high-level position,” he said. He said allegations of corruption, manipulation and concealment of information surrounding such appointments would eventually come to light. “The smell of corruption can never be suppressed; it will eventually come out,” Kobir said. Referring to the WHO, Kobir said the organisation plays a crucial role in global public health, particularly recalling its importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Asked how many countries the government is working with to recover the huge amount of money allegedly siphoned out of Bangladesh, Kobir said the government is working with international partners to bring back laundered assets and funds. “We are working with international partners to recover the assets and money that have been siphoned out,” he said. He said Bangladesh has already established a partnership with the United Kingdom in this regard. The government is also in discussions with countries that have legal and forensic expertise to help trace and recover the assets, he said. “We are determined to bring back the people’s stolen money and assets through legal and diplomatic processes,” Kobir said. He said the recovered assets should be used for the welfare of people rather than ending up in the pockets of individuals.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday highlighted Bangladesh’s interest in diversifying exports to France, particularly in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, leather, ceramics and jute products, and encouraged greater French investment in these areas. She reaffirmed Bangladesh’s zero-tolerance policy towards irregular migration and human trafficking and expressed Bangladesh’s readiness to work closely with France to prevent irregular migration. The issues were discussed when a delegation of three French senators met her at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The discussed issues and ways to further strengthen political engagement between Bangladesh and France. They also discussed bilateral and multilateral issues during the meeting. Senators Guillaume Chevrollier, Pierre-Alain Roiron and Olivier Henno arrived in Dhaka on Saturday night on a three-day official visit. Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet and Head of the Political Wing of the Embassy Christian Bec accompanied the senators during their meeting with the State Minister. During the meeting, both sides held wide-ranging discussions on Bangladesh-France relations, with emphasis on strengthening cooperation between democratic institutions of two countries. The State Minister welcomed the delegation and expressed Bangladesh’s interest in further deepening engagement with the French Senate including through greater interaction within the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). She appreciated France’s continued support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition, socio-economic development and highlighted the potential for further cooperation in trade and investment, education, culture, migration and mobility and other areas of mutual interest.  

The city of Yekaterinburg, Russia is hosting the International Festival of Youth (IFY-2026) from September 11 to 17, bringing together 10,000 young leaders from 191 countries, including Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s participation is set to be substantial, with around 90 delegates planned to represent the country. As part of the festival, from September 13 to 16, the ‘Media Stream’ programme will be of particular interest to Bangladeshi delegates working in media, journalism, content creation, and creative industries. The programme brings together leading bloggers, journalists, producers, scientists, and artists from around the world to discuss the future of the media industry. Bangladeshi participants will have the opportunity to engage in panel discussions on pressing questions: What attracts young foreigners to Russia today? Does culture really remain one of the key tools for promoting international dialogue? What research projects and Russian technologies are in demand globally? And how can critical thinking and a value-based worldview be preserved in the era of deepfakes and rapid social media spread? The Bangladesh delegation among many others includes Halima Yesmin Mukta, a Master’s student in Tourism and Sports Management and a fully funded participant who plans to launch her own venture in Bangladesh. "I feel immensely proud to showcase Bangladesh, its culture, and its potential on such a grand platform," she said. Another delegate, Md Omar Faruk Joy, youth organiser from Cox’s Bazar and founder of We Can Cox’s Bazar, is proud to showcase Bangladesh’s culture and potential, while Joy looks forward to exchanging experiences and gaining inspiration for his community work. India ranks among the top countries by the number of delegates (194), alongside Argentina, Brazil, China, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia. Among the confirmed Indian delegates is Amit Kothawade, who developed a COVID-19 contact-tracing app during the pandemic and now leads a startup ecosystem of 35,000 projects at a government agency. Other Indian participants include Sultana Bilquis, a RUDN postgraduate student in Russian Literature and cultural programme participant, and blogger Jaideep Sakhiya, a Skill India Master Trainer and founder of The Media Lab, who credits his participation in WYF 2024 as a turning point that inspired his focus on creating meaningful content, among many others. The IFY-2026 follows a sector-based format, with participants representing eight professional fields: media, creative industries, public administration, science and education, sport, entrepreneurship, digitalisation and IT, social sector. Confirmed international guests include Christian Knapp (USA), conductor at the Mariinsky Theatre; pianist and blogger Lorenzo Bagnati (Italy); theater and film actor Aleksandar Radojičić (Serbia); President of TV BRICS Africa Ayanda Hollow (South Africa); film producer and director Liu Xuan (China), to name but a few, said a media release. Key Russian speakers include Maria Zakharova, Official Spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Andrey Timonov, Director of the Communications Department of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom; head of RT China Vsevolod Pulya; singer Tatyana Kurtukova; Aleksey Goreslavsky, Director General of the Internet Development Institute; Dmitry Uvarov, Director for Strategic Partnerships at VK, and pranksters Vovan and Lexus; among many others. Highlights of the ‘Media Stream’ program will include a meet-the-artist session with a famous actor and producer Miloš Biković, who has starred in movies such as Red Silk, Serf, The Challenge, The Balkan Line, and Ice. He will answer questions about the acting profession, trends in the film industry, and his connection to Russia. The session will be moderated by acclaimed director, producer, and screenwriter Klim Shipenko. The World Youth Festival took place in Sirius on March 1-7, 2024, by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi has called for keeping trade, cultural exchanges and people-to-people connectivity between Bangladesh and India moving forward, saying such issues should not be held back by political developments. Talking to reporters after a cultural programme in Dhaka on Friday evening, he said issues would continue to be discussed between the two countries, but issues such as the Maitree Express, the Ganges Water Treaty, trade and cultural exchanges should not be allowed to get stuck. “These are the things of ordinary people," said the High Commissioner, highlighting the importance of keeping the people at the centre. The High Commissioner said trade restrictions from both sides have to be liberalised. Otherwise, he noted, the people will suffer. He said there is no need to rush and the political process will take its own course. But the work that concerns ordinary people must continue, Trivedi said. Trivedi was speaking about the importance of peace and harmony in the region and beyond, referring to the teachings of Lalon Fakir and the traditions of Buddhism and Sufism. “The world is facing a lot of unrest at this moment. When I talk about the lamp and the lighthouse, I am not talking only about Bangladesh or India; I am talking about the entire subcontinent,” he said. The High Commissioner said the region's diverse religious and spiritual traditions could contribute to the cause of global peace. “There is Buddhism here, there is Sufism, and all religions are the same. We can all live together and work together for peace in the world,” Trivedi said. Expressing optimism about the future, he said positive change might take time but there must be a beginning. “I have a lot of optimism, and I am absolutely confident. It will take time, but we have to make a good beginning,” he said. On the political issues between Bangladesh and India, Trivedi said there was no need to repeatedly discuss matters that were already under consideration at the highest level. “I am completely confident that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh knows what has to be done, where and when. It is his prerogative, and we should leave it to him to decide when he considers it appropriate,” he said. Trivedi said India would continue to focus on areas that could move forward without being affected by political considerations. “My responsibility is to ensure that the work does not stop, but I cannot do it alone,” he said. He stressed the need for the relevant technical committees of the two countries to work on easing trade restrictions and improving economic exchanges. The High Commissioner attended the inaugural ceremony of the Kabir-Lalon Bhabsangeet Utsav, organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of Bangladesh, as special guest. The event was held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Thursday said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s first visit to India cannot be a multilateral visit and the government is working on arranging a bilateral visit to India when the timing is conducive. He stressed that Bangladesh is placing greater emphasis on a bilateral visit by the Prime Minister and discussions. Kobir said such a bilateral visit will take place when the environment is conducive and mutual respect is maintained. “There is no need to rush things.” Responding to a question about the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty, the State Minister said, “Wherever our national interest is involved, we will act with importance and competence. We will prioritise the interests and well-being of our country.” Kobir said there is no scope for Bangladesh to send a government representative to the BRICS Summit, as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was not invited to the summit and the invitation was instead extended to the BIMSTEC Chair. “How shall we go? Has anyone from the Bangladesh government been invited? Our Prime Minister was not invited. Who told you that our Prime Minister was invited? The BIMSTEC Chair was invited. Then why are you asking this question?” he told reporters, ruling out the possibility of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attending the BRICS Summit.