Dr. Zahed incident 'regrettable'; Delhi's response not satisfactory: Dhaka

Bangladesh has termed India's explanation on the return of Prime Minister's Information Advisor Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman from New Delhi as 'not satisfactory'. The Foreign Ministry says the incident with Zahed Ur Rahman at the Delhi airport was 'unexpected and regrettable'.

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson told the media that Indian authorities were informed in advance through diplomatic channels that Dr. Zahed would lead the Bangladesh delegation at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) meeting on Wednesday. However, what happened to him at the Delhi airport is 'unexpected and regrettable'.

The spokesperson also said that they have observed the statement of the official spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, on this matter.

He said, 'Prime Minister's Advisor Dr. The explanation given for Zahed's return is not satisfactory.'

Reacting to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs' comments on minority communities in Bangladesh, the spokesperson said, 'Every state has an equal responsibility to ensure the rights and security of all its citizens, including minorities, living in its territory—this is Bangladesh's position.'

He said that the Bangladesh government has always strived to ensure the rights and security of all citizens of the country, including minorities.

On minorities, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said, 'They have seen reports from Bangladesh of some incidents of desecration of Hindu gods and their idols, which have led to protests.'

He told reporters in New Delhi, 'Our view, and indeed our expectation, is that the Bangladesh government will take effective steps to control extremist elements and ensure the safety and security of minority communities living in the country.'

Randhir Jaiswal admitted that immigration officials at the Delhi airport had detained Dr. Zahed was questioned and allowed entry only after it was confirmed that the purpose of his visit was to attend a multilateral meeting.

“However, he chose to return to Dhaka on his own initiative,” Jaiswal told reporters at a regular press briefing in New Delhi.

Jaiswal said the advisor arrived in India on June 14 with a SAARC sticker on a personal passport to attend the 28th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs is hosting the 28th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in New Delhi from June 15-16.

The meeting, which is aimed at enhancing cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region under the theme of ‘Innovation, Openness, Tolerance and Adaptability’, brought together top government officials from IORA member states to review progress and discuss regional priorities.

Advisor Dr. Zahed said he had decided to return home from New Delhi as an immediate protest on June 16. He stressed that this was a government with broad public support and an absolute mandate, not Sheikh Hasina's.

He told reporters at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room at the Secretariat, "I did not go there as an individual; I went as a representative of the government. So, what happened to me there, it was necessary to immediately protest... to send a message that I was mistreated and not treated properly. That is why I have decided to return."

He said that at one stage, the Indian authorities made repeated and sincere attempts to allow him to enter the country and continue with his scheduled program.

He added, "As an advisor to the Prime Minister, I felt that there needed to be a clear signature or position from the state or government on this incident."