DHAKA: Bangladesh has summoned a senior Indian diplomat stationed in Dhaka to protest the treatment of an adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who was reportedly detained and questioned for several hours at New Delhi airport, in the latest diplomatic dispute between the two neighbouring countries.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman described the incident as “unexpected and unfortunate”, while Dhaka formally conveyed its concerns to Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe late on Monday.
Officials said government strategy adviser Zahed Ur Rahman was stopped upon arrival in New Delhi, where he had travelled to attend a conference. He was questioned for several hours before being allowed to continue his journey.
India’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to the matter.
The incident comes at a sensitive moment in bilateral relations. Although ties improved after Tarique Rahman’s election victory earlier this year, relations have remained strained since the 2024 uprising that removed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from power. Hasina has remained in India despite repeated requests from Bangladesh seeking her extradition.
The two countries have also disagreed over Bangladesh’s allegations that Indian authorities have attempted to push undocumented migrants across the border without following established repatriation procedures.
Dhaka said its border guards had prevented several recent “push-in” attempts and raised the issue during talks last week between Border Guard Bangladesh and Border Security Force in New Delhi.
While both sides agreed during the discussions to enhance intelligence-sharing and coordinate border patrols, the issue of undocumented migrants continues to be a source of tension between the neighbouring countries.