India visit likely for Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman in November, sources say

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman may visit India in November or early December as Dhaka and New Delhi work on plans for a bilateral engagement, diplomatic sources said.

Officials from both sides have resumed discussions after a brief interruption, with the agenda for the proposed visit still being worked out. “After brief disruptions, talks have resumed, official-level talks to firm up plans for a visit of Tariq Rahman to New Delhi. The agenda is being worked out," said sources.

Rahman is scheduled to travel to New York on September 21 to attend the United Nations General Assembly and is expected to remain there until September 26.

India visit plans

The proposed visit would be Rahman’s first bilateral trip to India since he became Bangladesh prime minister in February 2026. India had extended a separate invitation for a bilateral visit soon after he assumed office. New Delhi later invited him to the BRICS outreach session in his capacity as BIMSTEC chair.

The Ministry of External Affairs has since clarified that the two invitations were separate. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had invited Rahman for a bilateral visit and had subsequently extended another invitation for the BRICS Summit as BIMSTEC chair.

A diplomatic source had earlier indicated that a bilateral visit could take place in November or early December. The timing is also linked to the Ganga Water Treaty, which is due for renewal at the end of December.

Modi birthday exchange

Amid the ongoing diplomatic engagement, Rahman wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday on September 17.

“Warmest birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Wishing you many happy returns of the day. May your dedicated service to the people of India always be accompanied by good health and high spirit," he wrote on X.

Modi responded: “Thank you, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, for your warm wishes. I deeply appreciate your kind words."

Rahman became Bangladesh’s prime minister on February 17 after the BNP won the February 12 parliamentary election. He had returned to Bangladesh after years in exile in London.