New Delhi: Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s advisor Zahed-ur-Rahman, who is on watchlist for his anti-India statements, was briefly detained on arrival at the Delhi airport on Monday for an event organised by the MEA, triggering a diplomatic row.
Zahed-ur-Rahman was leading his country’s delegation for the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) meeting convened by the Ministry of External Affairs, but was travelling on a regular passport and not a diplomatic one.
Zahed-ur-Rahman, an adviser on policy and strategy affairs to PM Tarique Rahman, was stopped at the airport on arrival as his name figured on a watchlist of the immigration authorities over his anti-India statements in the past.
He remained at the airport for more than two hours and was finally given a one-time exemption to enter. However, upset at him being stopped, Rahman chose to travel back.
Rahman is among Bangladesh’s most prominent political commentators. He was a member of the Election System Reform Commission formed by the Interim government of Muhammad Yunus.
Before joining the government earlier this year with the rank of a state minister, he built a substantial following through newspaper columns, television appearances and his YouTube channel, “Zahed’s Take”, which remains inaccessible in India.
It was anti-India statements made by him on his channel that were flagged by Indian security agencies and his name was put in an immigration watchlist.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman described Monday’s development as “unexpected and regrettable”.
Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, 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 Daily Star reported.
The Bangladeshi government formally raised concerns with New Delhi Monday, summoning Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe after the incident.
According to Bangladeshi media reports, Rahman was held at immigration for more than two hours while the rest of the Bangladeshi delegation cleared entry procedures without difficulty.
The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi had sent a diplomatic note verbale to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs informing it about Zahed’s visit, Prothom Alo claimed in a report. However, according to diplomatic protocols, such visits need to be notified via a written note to the MEA.
Bangladesh’s high commissioner to India, M. Riaz Hamidullah went to the airport and identified Rahman to Indian authorities,
After waiting for more than two and a half hours, Rahman informed officials that he would not continue with the visit and would instead return to Bangladesh.
The episode comes as India and Bangladesh attempt to steady a relationship that has experienced significant strain over the past two years. Tensions intensified following the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, and the political transition that followed in Dhaka.
Although engagement between the two governments has increased since the current administration took office, disagreements remain.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
Also Read: After Bengal, BJP must secure the Siliguri Corridor, rebuild ties with Tarique Rahman