The government of Bangladesh on Monday formally protested over an incident in which Prime Minister’s Adviser on Policy and Strategy Affairs Dr Zahed-ur-Rahman was reportedly prevented from entering India for several hours at Delhi’s international airport.
In response to the episode that took place on Sunday night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian Acting High Commissioner (HC) Pawan Badhe to the state guesthouse Padma and conveyed Dhaka’s strong dissatisfaction over the treatment of the senior Bangladeshi official. Officials sought a detailed explanation regarding the circumstances that led to the delay, noting that Indian authorities had been informed in advance about Dr Zahed’s visit.
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman described the incident as both unexpected and serious. Speaking to reporters, he said the government was examining the matter with utmost importance and would decide on its next course of action after assessing all available information.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed also expressed concern, saying the government had not anticipated such treatment for a senior Bangladeshi representative. She added that authorities would determine an appropriate response after obtaining a complete account of the incident.
Dr Zahed had travelled to India to lead a Bangladeshi delegation at a two-day high-level meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Despite prior notification to Indian authorities, he was reportedly held at the airport by immigration officials for around two and a half hours without being provided with a specific reason.
According to reports, clearance was eventually granted following instructions from higher authorities. However, rather than continuing with his visit, Dr Zahed decided to leave India and return to Bangladesh.
He travelled back via Sri Lanka and arrived in Dhaka on Monday aboard a SriLankan Airlines flight, bringing an abrupt end to what was intended to be an official diplomatic mission. The incident has since drawn attention in both diplomatic and political circles, with Dhaka seeking clarification from New Delhi over the matter.
