Bangladesh protests stopping of PM aide at Delhi airport
Bangladesh on Monday formally conveyed its deep disappointment to India after Prime Minister’s Adviser on Policy and Strategy Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman was stopped and questioned by Indian immigration authorities at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
A senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to The Pioneer that Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe was summoned this afternoon, during which Bangladesh expressed its strong displeasure over the incident.
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman termed the episode “unexpected” and “unfortunate”. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said the government was taking appropriate steps and would issue an official statement later in the day.
Dr Zahed Ur Rahman was stopped by Indian immigration on Sunday evening (June 14) when his name reportedly appeared on a watchlist during a routine security check. He was questioned and kept waiting for several hours. Although Indian authorities later cleared him to proceed, the adviser chose to return to Bangladesh instead of continuing his official visit.
He was travelling on a regular Bangladeshi passport with a valid SAARC visa, not a diplomatic passport. With no direct flight available to Dhaka that night, Dr Zahed returned home via Colombo.
The adviser had gone to New Delhi to attend the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), being held on June 15-16. The meeting focuses on regional cooperation under the theme “Innovation, Openness, Resilience and Adaptability”. The incident has prompted a swift diplomatic response from Dhaka. Further details on India’s reaction to Bangladesh’s démarche are awaited.
