Bangladesh, Sept. 15 -- Bangladesh missed an opportunity to advance its economic interests, diversify strategic partnerships and increase diplomatic leverage at a time when BRICS is becoming an important platform for the Global South.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's decision not to attend the 2026 BRICS outreach in New Delhi has therefore raised a larger question: was this only about diplomatic protocol, or was Pakistan's growing strategic influence over Dhaka beginning to shape Bangladesh's foreign-policy choices? The timing and direction of Bangladesh's foreign-policy decisions have made the question quiet difficult to ignore. Dhaka is rebuilding political and defence ties with Pakistan, considered participation in the Saudi-Turkey-Pa...