New Delhi: Ten days after Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Adviser for Information & Strategy Zahed Ur Rahman was stopped at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport, Dhaka has said New Delhi’s explanation is unsatisfactory.
“The explanation provided by the Indian side over the incident was not satisfactory,” a Bangladesh Foreign ministry spokesperson told state-run news agency BSS.
The spokesperson said the incident involving Rahman was “unfortunate and regrettable.”
The official claimed Indian authorities had been informed beforehand through diplomatic channels that Rahman would be leading the Bangladeshi delegation at a meeting of the Indian
Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in Delhi.
However, Rahman was stopped by officials at the airport as his name was flagged during a security check.
He was later cleared to enter India, but by that time Rahman had decided to return to Bangladesh by another flight.
Bangladesh’s response came a day after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Rahman was allowed entry into India after the purpose of his visit was reconfirmed, but he chose to return to Dhaka.
“Advisor to the prime minister of Bangladesh arrived in India on June 14 on a private passport holding a SAARC visa, to attend the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during his media briefing.
Jaiswal further said Rahman was questioned by immigration officials at Delhi airport and was subsequently permitted entry after “re-confirming” that the purpose of his visit was to attend the said multilateral meeting.
“He (Rahman), however, chose to return to Dhaka of his own volition,” Jaiswal added.
Soon after the incident, Bangladesh summoned India’s chargé d’affaires in Dhaka Pawan Badhe, and conveyed its “deep disappointment.”
Bangladeshi Foreign minister Khalilur Rahman described the Rahman episode as “unexpected” and “unfortunate”.