Zahed Ur Rahman chose to return to Dhaka on his own: India

Bangladesh prime minister’s adviser Zahed Ur Rahman was permitted entry into India after reconfirming the purpose of his visit, but he chose to return to Dhaka, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.

Bangladesh lodged a protest with India after Adviser Zahed was briefly stopped by immigration officials at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi over a week ago, as his name apparently figured in a security-related blacklist, reports PTI.

“Advisor to the prime minister of Bangladesh arrived in India on 14 June on a private passport holding a SAARC visa, to attend the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.

“He was queried by immigration officials at Delhi airport and was subsequently permitted entry after reconfirming that the purpose of his visit was to attend the said multilateral meeting,” he said.

“He, however, chose to return to Dhaka of his own volition,” Jaiswal added.

On 15 June, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the acting Indian high commissioner in Dhaka, Pawan Kumar Badhe, over the unexpected treatment of Prime Minister’s Policy, Strategy and Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman at the Delhi airport.

The Indian envoy was handed a formal protest note.

On 14 June, Adviser Zahed was stopped at Indira Gandhi International Airport after his name appeared on a security-related watchlist, according to sources at the foreign ministry.

Adviser Zahed was reportedly made to wait in a general waiting area for around two and a half hours without being given any specific reason.

Although Indian immigration authorities later cleared him to continue his journey, he chose to return to Bangladesh, sources said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman described the incident as unexpected and regrettable. 

The adviser travelled to India to attend the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

He was travelling on an ordinary Bangladeshi passport carrying a SAARC sticker, while the Bangladesh High Commission had notified India’s Ministry of External Affairs of his visit through a note verbale.

Diplomatic sources said Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah went to the airport to receive him.

Adviser Zahed left for Dhaka via Colombo as there was no direct flight available on the night of 14 June. He eventually reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11am on 15 June.