India clarifies immigration query of Advisor Zahed at Delhi airport

India’s foreign ministry says he travelled on a SAARC visa with a private passport and later returned to Dhaka voluntarily

The Indian government has said Prime Minister’s Information Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman was questioned at Delhi airport over his SAARC visa visit before being allowed entry.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified the incident, which drew criticism in Bangladesh, at a briefing on Tuesday.

“He arrived here on a private passport with a SAARC visa, and to attend the 28th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association that is IORA.”

“He was queried by immigration officials at Delhi airport and subsequently permitted entry after reconfirming that the purpose of his visit was to attend the said multilateral meeting. He, however, chose to return to Dhaka on his own volition,” he added.

Zahed had arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport on the evening of Jun 14 to attend the two-day IORA meeting in Delhi, where he was scheduled to lead the Bangladesh delegation.

Immigration officials kept him waiting for around two and a half hours while reviewing his entry, without confirming whether he would be allowed into India. He subsequently decided to return to Dhaka.

Indian media reports said he was later cleared after questioning but declined to proceed, describing the treatment as discourteous.

He returned to Dhaka via Colombo the following day, cancelling his official visit.

Following the incident, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian Acting High Commissioner Pawan Badhe in Dhaka on Jun 15 to lodge a protest.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman described the episode as “unexpected and regrettable.”