Bangladesh’s prime minister has not been invited to the BRICS summit with the “appropriate status” of a head of government, Parliament Speaker Major Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said Monday, as he questioned the bloc’s apparent interest in bringing Dhaka closer.

“Bangladesh is not yet a member of BRICS, and there are also discussions about becoming a partner. However, the government has yet to publicly announce a clear policy on joining BRICS,” Hafiz told reporters at the Bhola Circuit House.

“The BRICS summit is over. The Bangladesh government has still not openly stated its policy on BRICS,” he said.

Hafiz said Bangladesh had been considering joining the grouping since the previous government, but suggested the interest had not been reciprocated.

“So far, there has not been much enthusiasm from the other side. Our prime minister has still not been invited with the appropriate status and recognition as a prime minister,” he said.

The speaker also addressed Bangladesh’s strained relationship with India, saying Dhaka wanted friendly ties but rejected the unequal relationship that critics say characterised relations under the previous government.

He criticised India for sheltering the former prime minister and allowing her to conduct political activities from its territory, saying Bangladesh did not consider that “neighbourly conduct.”

“We want friendly relations with India. But those relations must be based on equality and sovereignty,” Hafiz said.

“We do not want the kind of ‘husband-wife relationship’ that was spoken of in the past.”

He said diplomatic contacts between Dhaka and New Delhi were continuing and expressed hope that relations would improve on the basis of “equality, mutual respect and sovereignty.”

Turning to domestic politics, Hafiz said the government, which took office following February’s election, needed more time to address the legacy of years of misrule.

He said talks among political parties were continuing over reforms, including implementation of the July Charter. If the government and opposition reached a consensus, necessary legislation and constitutional amendments could be taken up in Parliament’s next session.

Hafiz also praised the opposition’s performance in Parliament but warned political parties against destabilising the country in pursuit of a quicker route to power.

On Bhola, the speaker called for greater use of the district’s gas reserves through fertiliser plants, power stations and other industries. He also cited an acute shortage of doctors in the district and called for more physicians and an ICU facility.