DHAKA: Bangladesh on Monday summoned India’s deputy high commissioner to lodge a protest over the treatment of an adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, marking the latest disagreement between the two neighbouring countries.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman described the episode as an “unexpected and unfortunate incident”.
According to Bangladesh’s state-run BSS news agency, the foreign ministry called in Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe after government strategy adviser Zahed Ur Rahman was reportedly stopped and questioned for several hours at New Delhi’s airport while travelling to attend a conference.
“Although Indian authorities later allowed him to proceed with his visit, he decided to return to Bangladesh,” BSS reported.
India has not publicly commented on the matter.
Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have remained sensitive since the 2024 uprising that removed the government of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Bilateral ties showed signs of improvement after Tarique Rahman secured a landslide election victory and succeeded the interim administration that had governed the country of 170 million people following Hasina’s ouster.
Hasina has remained in India since fleeing the country after the uprising, while Bangladesh has repeatedly sought her extradition.
