‘Deeply unfortunate’: Sheikh Hasina on Bangladesh skipping India-hosted BRICS summit

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

In an exclusive interview with PTI , Ms. 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.

The former Bangladesh Prime Minister said if her presence in New Delhi was the reason behind Mr. 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 Mr. Rahman’s decision, Ms. Hasina said that a responsible government should “open doors for the country, not close them.”