Bangladesh summons Indian diplomat over detention of PM ‘s advisor at Delhi Airport.
NEW DELHI : Bangladesh summoned India’s Deputy High Commissioner on Monday (June 15). This move was made in protest against the treatment meted out to Zahid-ur-Rahman, the Prime Minister’s advisor on policy and strategy affairs. Rahman was detained by immigration officials at Delhi Airport for over two hours, following which he cancelled his official visit to India.
The incident occurred when Rahman arrived at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport to lead the Bangladeshi delegation at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Senior Officials’ Meeting scheduled for June 15–16. This was Dhaka’s first formal response to the incident.
According to Bangladeshi media, India’s Deputy High Commissioner (and Chargé d’Affaires in Bangladesh), Pawan Badhe, was summoned to the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The UNB news agency reported that he was “apprised of Dhaka’s displeasure with New Delhi regarding this incident.” Earlier, Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Khalilur Rahman had described the incident as “unexpected and unfortunate.” He stated that the ministry was taking appropriate steps in response and would clarify its position later. Diplomatic sources indicated that Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, M. Riaz Hamidullah, was present at the airport and had verified Rahman’s identity to the immigration officials. Sources also mentioned that Indian authorities had been informed in advance that he would be leading the Bangladeshi delegation.
According to sources, other members of the Bangladeshi delegation completed the immigration process without any issues, whereas Rahman was detained for more than two hours. Sources stated that after waiting for over two and a half hours, Rahman decided not to proceed with the visit and informed the officials that he would return to Dhaka. He further stated that Indian officials later informed him the issue could be resolved and urged him to continue his visit. However, Rahman decided against entering India and departed for Colombo before returning to Dhaka. There has been no official statement from the Indian government regarding this incident.
Reports citing sources on Sunday indicated that Rahman was stopped after his name appeared on a security watchlist during a routine immigration check. According to the channel, the issue arose due to an administrative error. Although his name had reportedly been removed from a social media-related blacklist, it remained on the immigration watchlist, triggering an alert upon his arrival. The report stated that he was cleared for entry once the discrepancy was identified.
He is one of Bangladesh’s most prominent political commentators. A doctor by profession, Rahman built a large following by writing newspaper columns, appearing on television, and running his YouTube channel, “Zahed’s Take.” Subsequently, earlier this year, he joined the government as an advisor to the Prime Minister, holding the rank of a state minister. Interestingly, his YouTube channel remains inaccessible in India.
Sources familiar with the matter do not believe the issue was related to the passport he was carrying, as Indian officials were aware of his official position and his planned participation in the IORA meeting. Rahman was traveling on an ordinary passport bearing a SAARC visa sticker.
Nevertheless, the other members of the Bangladeshi delegation—including an Additional Secretary—participated in the IORA meeting. The incident immediately drew Dhaka’s attention. According to the Bangladeshi newspaper *Prothom Alo*, officials were gathering information before deciding whether any further response was required. This marks the second time since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government assumed power that Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Pawan Badhe, the Acting Head of the Indian Mission.
In April, Dhaka had summoned him to lodge a protest against remarks made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Bangladesh had termed these comments detrimental to bilateral relations. Bangladesh had also objected to Sarma’s public statements regarding the alleged pushback of undocumented migrants across the border. This development comes at a time when India and Bangladesh are attempting to stabilize ties following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the subsequent formation of an interim government in Dhaka. Although engagement has increased since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government took office, differences persist on several issues. These include Dhaka’s criticism regarding the alleged forced pushback of Bangladeshi nationals across the border by Indian officials. New Delhi has sought to revitalize ties by appointing former Union Minister and BJP leader Dinesh Trivedi as the High Commissioner to Bangladesh; he has succeeded career diplomat Pranay Verma.
