Bangladesh Summons Indian Envoy Over Adviser's Airport Detainment

Bangladesh on Monday summoned India’s deputy high commissioner in Dhaka and conveyed its “deep disappointment” over an incident involving Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, according to media reports.

Dr Rahman, who advises the Prime Minister on Policy and Strategy Affairs as well as Information and Broadcasting, was stopped by immigration authorities on Sunday evening after his name was reportedly flagged during a routine security check. He had travelled to New Delhi to attend the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

State-run BSS, citing a foreign ministry official, reported that Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned India’s Deputy High Commissioner, Pawan Badhe, to formally protest the incident. Diplomatic sources told Prothom Alo that Rahman was questioned and kept waiting for around two and a half hours before being cleared by Indian authorities.

Although he was eventually allowed to continue his visit, Rahman chose to return to Bangladesh rather than attend the scheduled meetings, according to BSS. Speaking to reporters, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman described the episode as “unexpected” and “unfortunate”, adding that the government was taking appropriate steps in response.

Reports said Rahman was travelling on a regular Bangladeshi passport with a SAARC visa and was not carrying a diplomatic passport, news agency PTI reported.