Zahed ur Rahman, the information adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, was denied entry by airport authorities in Delhi on Sunday night.
Zahed had travelled to the Indian capital to attend a senior officials’ meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). According to Bangladesh High Commission sources, the Delhi airport authorities refused to grant him the necessary clearance to enter the city.
Sources confirmed Zahed was travelling on a green passport with a SAARC visa, that the immigration officials did not accept. He could not get back to Dhaka as there was no direct return flights.
He went to Colombo from Delhi.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, an Indian foreign ministry official clarified the decision to refuse entry, pointing out that while Zahed was traveling with a green passport and a SAARC sticker, he did not possess an Indian visa.
The official added that Zahed was denied entry because he “had no relevance” to the IORA conference he was attempting to attend.
Analysts suggest that this may be interpreted as a subtle diplomatic signal discouraging new govt officials from travelling to India. They also argue that it reflects a broader indication that India’s relations with the BNP-led government are not currently warm, and that there may be underlying developments worth closer attention.
