Dhaka Voices Disappointment After PM Adviser Detained at Delhi Airport

Bangladesh has formally expressed deep disappointment after Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, a senior policy adviser to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, was held for over two hours by immigration authorities at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The incident occurred on Sunday evening as Dr. Rahman arrived to lead his country's delegation for the 28th Committee of Senior Officials meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Despite prior notification of his status, his name was reportedly flagged during routine security screening, leading to the lengthy verification hold-up.

Officials indicate that the delay stemmed from a technical or database error regarding the security watchlist. Because Dr. Rahman was traveling on a normal Bangladeshi passport with a standard SAARC visa rather than a diplomatic passport, he was required to undergo regular immigration procedures, which left him vulnerable to such technical flagging. While Indian authorities eventually indicated the situation could be resolved, the adviser characterized the treatment as humiliating and declined to enter India, choosing instead to return to Dhaka via Colombo.

In response to the episode, the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pawan Badhe, to convey official dissatisfaction. The Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, termed the situation unexpected and unfortunate, underscoring the severity with which the Bangladeshi government views the incident. While the rest of the Bangladeshi delegation proceeded with the IORA meeting as scheduled, the incident has created a notable diplomatic friction point between the two nations.