DHAKA, June 15: Bangladesh on Monday summoned India’s Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe and expressed its “deep disappointment” over an incident involving Prime Minister adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
According to state-run BSS and diplomatic sources, Rahman was stopped by immigration authorities on Sunday evening after his name was reportedly flagged during a routine security check.
He was questioned and made to wait for around two-and-a-half hours while travelling to India to attend the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry handed over a protest letter during the meeting with the Indian envoy. Foreign Ministry spokesman Shahidul Karim confirmed the démarche, while Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman described the episode as “unexpected” and “unfortunate,” adding that the government was taking appropriate steps.
Although Indian authorities later allowed him to proceed with his visit, Rahman reportedly decided to return to Bangladesh. He was travelling on a regular Bangladeshi passport with a SAARC visa, not a diplomatic passport. (PTI)
