Bangladesh has formally summoned the Deputy High Commissioner of India in Dhaka following a diplomatic row triggered by the detention and questioning of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s adviser, Zahed ur Rahman, at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday evening.
Zahed ur Rahman, who serves as an adviser on policy and strategy affairs to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, was reportedly held back at immigration for several hours while attempting to enter India to attend an official meeting hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs. According to reports cited by the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha news agency, his name was flagged during a routine security check, prompting immigration authorities to stop him for questioning.
The adviser was travelling on a regular Bangladeshi passport carrying a SAARC visa and was not in possession of a diplomatic passport, as reported by Bangladeshi media outlets. He was en route to participate in the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
Sources cited in reports from Prothom Alo stated that Zahed ur Rahman was detained for questioning for approximately two and a half hours at the airport before being allowed to proceed. However, he subsequently decided to return to Bangladesh.
In response to the incident, Dhaka summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe to express what it described as deep disappointment. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman described the development as unexpected and unfortunate while addressing reporters, stating that the government was taking appropriate steps regarding the matter.
New Delhi has not issued any public statement on the incident so far.
The episode comes amid fluctuating diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh. Ties had already been strained following a 2024 political uprising that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Relations later improved after Tarique Rahman secured a decisive election victory and assumed leadership following an interim administration that governed the country of 170 million people.
However, recent developments have again introduced tension along the international border, including India’s actions involving the deportation of individuals it identifies as illegal migrants into Bangladesh, further complicating bilateral relations.
The latest airport incident has therefore intensified diplomatic sensitivities between the two neighboring countries, highlighting ongoing volatility in their engagement despite recent attempts at stabilization.
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