Bangladesh PM’s Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman Returns Home After Being Stopped at Delhi Airport

India: Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, Policy and Strategy Affairs Adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister with the rank of a state minister, returned to Dhaka without proceeding with his official visit to India after being stopped and questioned for several hours by immigration authorities at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday evening.

According to multiple reports, Dr Rahman arrived in New Delhi to lead Bangladesh’s delegation at the Senior Officials’ Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). His name was reportedly flagged during a routine security check, leading to extended questioning and a wait of around two-and-a-half hours.

Sources close to the adviser described the treatment as “undue harassment” and discourteous. Although Indian authorities eventually cleared his entry, Dr Rahman chose not to proceed and returned home via Colombo on a SriLankan Airlines flight on Monday.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman termed the incident “unfortunate” and said the ministry is taking appropriate steps.

Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, a physician, media personality, and political analyst, has in the past been vocal in his criticism of certain Indian policies and actions regarding Bangladesh. He joined the interim government earlier this year as an adviser.

The episode comes amid evolving bilateral relations between the two neighbours following political changes in Bangladesh.