Bangladesh India airport incident: Dhaka calls New Delhi’s explanation unsatisfactory

Bangladesh said New Delhi’s explanation for an airport stop involving Prime Minister’s Adviser for Information and Strategy Zahed Ur Rahman was unsatisfactory. Dhaka called the incident regrettable and said India had been informed through diplomatic channels that he would lead the Bangladesh delegation to an Indian Ocean Rim Association meeting.

Bangladesh has said India’s explanation over the brief stopping of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s adviser at New Delhi airport was not satisfactory. The state-run BSS agency quoted a foreign ministry spokesperson on the response. The spokesperson called the incident "unfortunate and regrettable\". The case involves Zahed Ur Rahman at Indira Gandhi International Airport earlier this month.

Dhaka had already lodged a protest after immigration officials stopped Rahman for a short time over a week ago. Officials reportedly flagged the name in a security-related blacklist. Bangladesh said Indian authorities were informed in advance through diplomatic channels. Dhaka said Rahman was meant to lead its delegation to an Indian Ocean Rim Association meeting.

Bangladesh airport incident and India explanation

BSS reported that Rahman was scheduled to head the Bangladesh delegation but could not proceed through the Delhi airport. Bangladesh said the process was followed and India was told beforehand. After India’s later statement, Dhaka said the explanation did not address its concerns. The Bangladeshi side repeated that the episode should not have happened.

India’s External Affairs Ministry gave details a day before Bangladesh’s latest reaction. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal spoke at a weekly media briefing. Jaiswal said Rahman entered India on June 14 using a private passport. Jaiswal also said Rahman held a SAARC visa for the visit.

Indian Ocean Rim Association meeting and Delhi airport checks

\"Advisor to the prime minister of Bangladesh arrived in India on June 14 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.\" Jaiswal said immigration officials questioned Rahman at the Delhi airport. Jaiswal said entry was allowed after confirming the visit’s purpose.

\"He Rahman, however, chose to return to Dhaka of his own volition, Jaiswal added.\" The MEA said the visit purpose was reconfirmed as attendance at the multilateral meeting. India hosted the 28th Committee of Senior Officials meeting in New Delhi. The meeting ran from June 15 to June 16, the ministry said.

Bangladesh has maintained that Zahed Ur Rahman was set to lead its IORA delegation. Dhaka said the incident at Indira Gandhi International Airport should not have occurred after prior notice. India has stated that entry was permitted after checks and clarification. The episode has led to diplomatic exchanges, including Bangladesh’s earlier protest and the later explanations.

With inputs from PTI