Dhaka summons Indian acting HC over entry issue involving PM's adviser

The Bangladesh government has lodged “strong protest” with the Indian High Commission in Dhaka over Sunday’s incident where Delhi immigration authorities prevented PM’s Adviser Zahed-ur-Rahman from entering India for hours.

On Monday, officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian Acting High Commissioner Pawan Badhe to state guesthouse Padma and asked for a full explanation for the obstructions Indian authorities created on Zahed’s entry into the neighbouring country, despite Dhaka informing of his arrival beforehand.

Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman told reporters that the government was considering the matter with utmost seriousness, and would reveal details of the incident and potential response by Monday evening.

Khalilur told reporters that the incident involving the Prime Minister’s Adviser was “unexpected” and also “grievous.”

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed also told reporters that Sunday’s incident at the Delhi international airport was in no way expected. The government will decide on appropriate measures in response to the incident only after learning the full extent of what had transpired, she said.

On Sunday, Zahed-ur-Rahman was set to lead a Bangladeshi delegation to a two-day high-level meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

The Indian authorities were alerted about his arrival.

However, upon his arrival at the Delhi international airport, the immigration authorities left him stranded at the airport for 2.5 hours without showing any specific reason. Later, the immigration officials allowed Zahed to enter the country on orders from the top.

But Zahed-ur-Rahman decided to return to Dhaka via Sri Lanka. On Monday noon, a flight of the SriLankan Airlines brought him home.