Bangladesh, July 24 -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi in September as a special guest, signalling the growing importance of Bangladesh in regional and global diplomacy.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam confirmed the invitation on Thursday while speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We have received the invitation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it has been sent to the Prime Minister's Office," she said.

The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September. Although Bangladesh is not a member of the bloc, Modi has extended a special invitation to Prime Minister Tarique...