Bangladesh Expresses Discontent Over Airport Incident Involving Indian Official

Bangladesh Summons Indian Envoy Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Dhaka: On Monday, Bangladesh summoned the Deputy High Commissioner of India, expressing its "deep disappointment" regarding an incident that occurred at the Delhi airport involving a senior adviser to the Prime Minister.

Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, who serves as the Prime Minister's Adviser on Policy and Strategy Affairs, faced delays at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Sunday evening when immigration officials flagged his name during a standard security check, as reported by the state-run BSS news agency.

According to a foreign ministry official, the Indian Deputy High Commissioner, Pawan Badhe, was called in to address the concerns raised by Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman remarked that the government is taking necessary actions regarding the situation, labeling it as an "unexpected and unfortunate incident".

Reports from the Prothom Alo newspaper, citing diplomatic sources, indicated that Zahed was in India to participate in the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. He was reportedly questioned by immigration officials and kept waiting for approximately two and a half hours.

Although he was eventually permitted to continue his journey, Zahed opted to return to Bangladesh instead, as per BSS sources.

It is noteworthy that the adviser was traveling on a standard Bangladeshi passport with a SAARC visa and did not possess a diplomatic passport.