Bangladesh summons Indian envoy over Delhi airport row

Bangladesh summoned India's deputy high commissioner on Monday to protest the detention of a senior government adviser at a New Delhi airport. Strategy adviser Zahed Ur Rahman was stopped and questioned for several hours after arriving in India for a conference, in the latest diplomatic spat between the two South Asian neighbors.

Why did Bangladesh summon the Indian envoy over the Delhi airport incident?

Bangladesh summoned the envoy to formally protest the treatment of Zahed Ur Rahman, an adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Indian authorities stopped and questioned him for several hours after his name reportedly appeared on a watchlist. Although he was eventually cleared to proceed, he chose to return to Bangladesh instead.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman described the episode as an "unexpected and unfortunate incident." Dhaka's state-run BSS news agency confirmed that the foreign ministry summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe. India has not commented publicly on the matter.

What happened to Bangladesh PM's adviser at Delhi airport?

Zahed Ur Rahman had travelled to New Delhi on a regular Bangladeshi passport with a SAARC visa to attend a conference. He was stopped at the airport and questioned for several hours after his name appeared on a watchlist. Indian authorities eventually allowed him to continue his visit, but he decided to return to Bangladesh.

How has the Delhi airport incident affected India-Bangladesh relations?

Relations between the two neighbors have been strained since a 2024 uprising toppled the government of Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka. Ties showed signs of improvement after Tarique Rahman won a landslide election victory, taking over from the interim administration that had governed since Hasina was ousted.

Hasina has remained in India since fleeing the revolution, and Bangladesh has repeatedly requested her extradition. The issue has remained a persistent source of tension between the two countries.

Bangladesh shares a 4,096-kilometre land border with India and is surrounded by its neighbor on three sides. Relations have deteriorated further along the frontier, with India sending those it accuses of being illegal migrants back across the border into Bangladesh.