Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has described the return of Prime Minister’s Adviser on Policy and Strategy Affairs Zahed Ur Rahman from Delhi airport as “unexpected and regretful”.
Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, Khalilur said, “The foreign ministry is taking appropriate measures in this regard.”
He added that the ministry would clarify its position by the end of the day.
The comments came as Zahed returned to Bangladesh today, a day after an incident at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, where he was reportedly kept waiting for hours by Indian immigration.
According to reports, Zahed was flagged during routine security checks once his name appeared on a watchlist, leading to questioning and a delay of about two and a half hours.
Indian authorities later allowed him to proceed, but he decided to return home, sources said.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah himself reportedly went to the airport yesterday to receive him, according to diplomatic sources.
Dr Zahed had travelled to India to attend the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), scheduled for today and tomorrow in New Delhi.
He was reportedly travelling on a regular Bangladeshi passport with a SAARC visa, while the Bangladesh High Commission had informed India’s Ministry of External Affairs of his visit through a note verbale.
As there was no direct flight to Dhaka last night, he travelled to Dhaka via Colombo.
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