PM Adviser Zahed denied entry at Delhi airport

Diplomatic relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have reached a new low following a series of high-profile incidents, ranging from heated border push-ins to the recent alleged harassment of Prime Minister’s Adviser at New Delhi’s international airport.

Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, the Information and Broadcasting Adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, on Sunday chose to abandon an official visit to India after being detained by immigration authorities for over two hours.

Following this incident, Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned India’s Acting High Commissioner Pawan Badhe in Dhaka, seeking an explanation over an incident in which Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman was reportedly denied entry upon arrival at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Director General (South Asia Wing) Ishrat Jahan met the Indian envoy and requested a detailed explanation regarding the circumstances that led to Dr Rahman being prevented from entering India.

Sources said that Dr Rahman had travelled from Dhaka to New Delhi on Sunday to participate in a conference of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

However, after arriving at the airport, he was reportedly stopped by Indian authorities and was unable to proceed with his visit.

Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman described the episode as both “unfortunate” and “regrettable”.

“The return of Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman from New Delhi airport is an unfortunate incident and indeed a regrettable one,” he said.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking the necessary measures regarding the issue, and by the end of the day the government will communicate its position and the steps it intends to take,” he said.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed said the government would decide on any further course of action after establishing all the facts surrounding the incident.

“Our officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are working on the matter. Once we know the full details of what happened to Dr Zahed Ur Rahman at New Delhi airport, if any action needs to be taken, we will proceed accordingly,” she told reporters.

According to officials familiar with the matter, Dr Zahed arrived in New Delhi on Sunday evening carrying a green passport with SAARC Sticker and was scheduled to represent Bangladesh at the two-day IORA meeting.

Sources said the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi had formally informed the Indian Ministry of External Affairs of the visit through a diplomatic note on Friday.

However, upon arrival, the Adviser was reportedly stopped by immigration officials and questioned for approximately two and a half hours.
Indian authorities later indicated that Dr Zahed’s name had appeared on a security-related watchlist.

Although Indian authorities eventually cleared him for entry following intervention by senior officials, Dr Zahed chose not to continue with the visit.

Citing what he regarded as “disrespectful” treatment and a breach of diplomatic protocol, he requested the return of his passport and decided to return to Bangladesh via Colombo.

The airport episode has become the latest flashpoint in a relationship that has faced mounting challenges over the past year.

The incident comes against the backdrop of growing disputes over border management, migration issues and broader political disagreements between Dhaka and New Delhi, following July Uprising in July 2024.

Last week, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) strongly protested unilateral “push-ins” of people across the border during the 57th Director General-level talks between the BGB and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi.

BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui described such actions as “illegal, inhumane and contrary to international law”, insisting that any repatriation process must follow established legal procedures and citizenship verification mechanisms.

The issue has become increasingly grave amid reports of intensified efforts by authorities in the Indian state of West Bengal to identify and deport alleged illegal migrants.

Relations between the two countries have also remained under strain since the fall of Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister, who is now sheltered in India.

Although both sides have sought to maintain diplomatic engagement, including a meeting between the then Interim Government’s National Security Advisers Khalilur Rahman and Ajit Doval in November 2025 aimed at improving communication, progress has been limited.

Another major point of contention remains Bangladesh’s request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka.

Bangladeshi officials have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction over India’s continued hosting of her.

Sources said that the Zahedur episode would impact the bilateral relations in the coming days and the relation would go under strain.

Before joining the BNP government, Dr Zahed was widely known as a political analyst and commentator on regional affairs.

Neither the Indian government nor the Indian High Commission in Dhaka has publicly provided a detailed explanation for the incident so far.

Despite the political tensions, cooperation continues in several strategic sectors.

Bangladesh on Monday began receiving 40 megawatts of electricity from Nepal through Indian transmission infrastructure under a trilateral power-sharing arrangement, highlighting the continuing importance of regional cooperation.

Nevertheless, diplomats and regional observers warn that the treatment of an adviser at New Delhi airport risks deepening mistrust at a time when bilateral relations are already facing significant challenges.