Sheikh Hasina criticizes Bangladesh PM Rahman over BRICS summit boycott

UPDATE - follow-up to 'Immature and counterproductive': Sheikh Hasina slams Bangladesh PM Rahman for skipping BRICS Summit: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's decision to skip the BRICS summit in India immature and damaging to national interests.

Summit Boycott

New Delhi invited Mr. Rahman to the September 12 and 13 summit in his role as the current chair of BIMSTEC, but he opted out. Ms. Hasina stated that if her presence in New Delhi was the reason for his refusal, it was very unfortunate, noting that past leaders travelled to cities where she lived without letting personal considerations affect state affairs. BRICS provides major emerging economies with opportunities for trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, and development cooperation.

Foreign Policy

Ms. Hasina criticized the Rahman administration for conducting foreign policy through personal reactions and short-term political calculations. She recalled that her own tenure balanced strong ties with India, China, Russia, Japan, the United States, and Europe without letting friendship with one country mean hostility toward another. Relations between nations cannot be determined by the political sensitivities of one individual, she added.

Context

Diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh faced strain after Ms. Hasina held a virtual media event in New Delhi on August 5, leading Dhaka to demand her extradition. The Awami League leader asserted that Bangladesh now faces a grave national crisis because democratic space has been closed and anti-India rhetoric is used for domestic politics.