Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s adviser on policy and strategy affairs, Zahed Ur Rahman, has said his decision to return to Dhaka after being stopped at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport was intended as an “instant protest” rather than an attempt to trigger a diplomatic confrontation with India. Speaking to reporters in Dhaka, he said he felt compelled to send a message that Bangladesh’s current government should not be viewed in the same light as the previous administration under Sheikh Hasina.
Zahed was reportedly held for around two-and-a-half hours upon arrival in Delhi. Although Indian authorities later cleared him for entry, he chose to abandon the visit and fly back to Dhaka. The incident prompted Bangladesh to summon a senior Indian diplomat, describing the episode as harassment by Indian authorities. Reports suggested Zahed was on an Indian watchlist and had travelled on an ordinary passport rather than a diplomatic one.
At a press conference at Bangladesh’s Secretariat, Zahed said he travelled as a representative of the state, not in a personal capacity, and therefore felt a protest was necessary. He emphasised that the action was meant to reflect the position of Bangladesh’s new government and underline that it expected to be treated differently from the previous regime. He said a clear statement of protest was required to signal this shift.
Despite the controversy, Zahed stressed that Bangladesh did not want the matter to escalate or harm bilateral ties. He said the country sought no hostility with any nation and hoped the incident would not affect future relations with India. In an effort to calm tensions, he added that he would have “no objection” to visiting India again if proper procedures were followed.