Bangladesh PM Rahman plans Japan, Saudi, Turkey trips; India visit still uncertain

Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman is planning visits to Japan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in October and November, but there is no indication yet of a trip to India despite an invitation to visit New Delhi.

Rahman's first visit as PM was to Malaysia on June 21-22, followed by a visit to China. He was in New York recently and addressed the United Nations General Assembly. Speculation is rife about a possible India visit in November-December, but no date has been finalised, according to people familiar with the dynamics of India-Bangladesh ties.

Rahman appears to be pursuing the traditional BNP policy of engaging with various foreign powers while sidestepping India. This policy has not yielded any results for Bangladesh in the past, but Rahman appears keen to pursue the BNP's traditional approach, according to a Bangladesh watcher.