Copyright: Any unauthorized use or reproduction of The Daily Star content for commercial purposes
is strictly prohibited and constitutes copyright infringement liable to legal action.
India has officially commented on the incident at Delhi airport that led Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, policy and strategic affairs adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to return to Dhaka on June 14 without entering the neighbouring country.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi today that Zahed had arrived with a private passport “carrying a Saarc visa” to attend a senior officials’ meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
“He was queried by immigration officials at Delhi airport and subsequently permitted entry after reconfirming that the purpose of the visit was to attend the multilateral meeting. He, however, chose to return to Dhaka on his own volition,” Jaiswal said.
He did not elaborate on the diplomatic note sent by Bangladesh’s foreign ministry regarding the incident.
At a press conference in Dhaka on June 16, Zahed said he had travelled to attend the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of IORA, held in New Delhi on June 15-16. He claimed that he was kept waiting for around two hours before being allowed entry following intervention from Bangladeshi officials.
“I did not go there as an individual, but as a representative of the government. Therefore, what happened to me required an instant protest. That is why I decided to return,” Zahed said. He later flew to Colombo the same night before returning to Dhaka the following day.
Zahed stressed that his decision was not intended to create hostility. “I felt a message needed to be sent both at home and abroad that this is not Sheikh Hasina’s government; this is a government with a public mandate,” he said.
Responding to questions about why he did not carry a diplomatic passport, Zahed said he travelled with a Saarc visa, which also carries diplomatic significance.
“I don’t think this is a passport issue. A diplomatic passport is a privilege, not a requirement,” he added.
Copyright: Any unauthorized use or reproduction of The Daily Star content for commercial purposes
is strictly prohibited and constitutes copyright infringement liable to legal action.
Leave a Reply