Bangladesh has summoned a senior Indian diplomat stationed in Dhaka to protest the detention and questioning of an adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at New Delhi’s airport. The adviser, Zahed Ur Rahman, was traveling to India for a conference when he was stopped upon arrival, held for several hours, and then allowed to proceed. The incident has added tension to already delicate bilateral relations.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman called the event “unexpected and unfortunate,” and Dhaka officially expressed its concerns to Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe late Monday night.
This diplomatic incident comes during a sensitive period in relations between the two countries. Although ties had improved following Tarique Rahman’s electoral victory earlier this year, strains have persisted since the 2024 uprising that resulted in the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She remains in India despite Bangladesh’s repeated requests for her extradition.
Relations are further complicated by accusations from Bangladesh that Indian authorities have attempted to push undocumented migrants across the border without adhering to proper repatriation procedures. Dhaka claims border guards have recently thwarted several “push-in” attempts and raised the issue during last week’s talks between Border Guard Bangladesh and India’s Border Security Force in New Delhi.
Despite both sides agreeing to enhance intelligence sharing and coordinate border patrols, disagreements over migration enforcement continue to be a source of friction in their relationship.