Wrong Rashtrapati Bhavan Press Release Sparks Confusion Over Bangladesh PM’s India Visit

A wrong press release issued by India’s Rashtrapati Bhavan regarding a possible visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariq Rahman triggered confusion across International media, Indian and Bangladesh government circles on Friday.

The press release stated that the Change of Guard ceremony scheduled for August 22, had been cancelled to facilitate a full rehearsal for the ceremonial welcome of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tariq Rahman. Soon after the release was issued, several Indian and Intrnational media outlets ran the development as breaking news, reporting that the Bangladeshi prime minister was set to arrive in India.

However, within a short time, Rashtrapati Bhavan withdrew the press release and clarified that the statement had been cancelled. The abrupt withdrawal raised questions over coordination and communication within India’s official government machinery.

The episode was particularly unusual because official announcements regarding visits by foreign heads of government are generally made by India’s Ministry of External Affairs or the Prime Minister’s Office rather than Rashtrapati Bhavan. The issuance of such a release by the presidential office, followed by its withdrawal, has therefore added to the confusion surrounding the reported visit.

The Bangladeshi side subsequently sought to put the record straight. Prime Minister Tariq Rahman’s press secretary said no final decision had been taken regarding the visit and that Dhaka was still awaiting New Delhi’s response on several issues, including the extradition of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs also stopped short of confirming the visit, saying that any update would be communicated if there was one.

The episode has raised fresh questions about coordination within India’s official communication and diplomatic machinery. While Indian media outlets rushed to report the presidential office’s statement as breaking news, Rashtrapati Bhavan itself later withdrew the information, leaving the reported visit hanging in uncertainty.

With Bangladesh also denying that any final decision had been made, what initially appeared to be an official announcement from India’s highest constitutional office has instead turned into an embarrassing episode of confusion and poor coordination within New Delhi’s government communication system.