Zahed Ur Rahman, adviser on policy and strategy affairs to the prime minister, hopes that bilateral relations with India will not deteriorate following what he described as harassing behaviour at Delhi airport.
Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Tuesday, the adviser reported being delayed for two hours at the airport. “I think what happened to me, I will call it harassment,” Zahed said.
Despite the incident, he expressed a willingness to visit India again if invited, emphasising his hope that the event does not lead to a decline in the bilateral relationship between the two neighbours.
However, Zahed maintained a firm stance on protecting national interests, pointing out that Bangladesh would not enter into any engagement with India by “compromising the country.”
When asked about potential diplomatic responses, the adviser informed reporters that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently determining the next course of action.
Regarding the possible motive behind this treatment, the adviser said he was unaware of why he was targeted.
He noted that during the tenure of Awami League regime, he had been involved in activism against that administration through various platforms. “I do not know why they [Delhi airport authorities] behaved like this,” he added.
