Dhaka, Sep 16 (V7N)- BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman did not attend the BRICS summit in India because, in his view, the invitation was not extended to him specifically in his capacity as Bangladesh's prime minister.
Speaking at a human chain in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday (September 16), Rizvi said Rahman is the prime minister of an independent country and that attending the summit without being invited in that capacity would have compromised Bangladesh's dignity and sovereignty.
The programme was organised by the Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal and Muktijuddher Projonmo.
Addressing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rizvi alleged that India was interfering in Bangladesh's affairs and questioned whether New Delhi considers Bangladesh an independent country. He also alleged that India was involved in conspiracies against Bangladesh.
Rizvi further alleged that some quarters were attempting to take Bangladesh back to the period before 1971. He criticised proposals involving the renaming or transformation of Madhur Canteen, saying such a move would be disrespectful to the memory of those who died during the Liberation War.
He said the government was working to build a better future for Bangladesh following what he described as 17 years of "anarchy."
Rizvi also said Tarique Rahman was working to strengthen democracy, including freedom of expression and judicial independence.
However, the nature of the BRICS invitation has been disputed. Bangladesh's foreign affairs authorities previously said Rahman was invited to the BRICS outreach session in his capacity as chair of BIMSTEC, rather than specifically as Bangladesh's prime minister.
India's Ministry of External Affairs later said Rahman had received two separate invitations—one for a bilateral visit and another to attend the BRICS summit as BIMSTEC chair.
END/SMA/AJ
