Prime Minister’s Policy and Strategy Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman was denied entry into India on Sunday evening despite prior diplomatic communication.
The adviser was travelling on an official visit when he arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in New Delhi, India, to attend a two-day senior officials’ meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), scheduled to begin Monday. He was expected to lead the Bangladesh delegation at the forum.
Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi had earlier formally informed India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Friday regarding his participation as head of the delegation.
However, upon arrival at the airport, immigration officials reportedly engaged him in prolonged questioning and kept him waiting for an extended period without a clear decision on entry clearance.
The adviser later became frustrated and requested the return of his passport. After receiving it, he prepared to return on the next available flight, according to media reports.
Although Indian immigration authorities later reportedly requested him to reconsider and enter the country with due courtesy, he declined the offer.
He subsequently departed for Dhaka on a flight around 12:30am (Delhi time) via Colombo. He was originally scheduled to return to Dhaka on Thursday after completing a four-day official visit.
