My return from Delhi was an 'instant protest': PM's Adviser

Prime Minister's Policy and Strategy Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has described his decision to return home from Delhi airport without entering India as an "instant protest".

He made the remarks at a press conference at the information department's conference room at the Secretariat on Tuesday, June 16.

In response to a question from journalists, he said, "I did not go there as an individual; I went as a representative of the government. Therefore, what happened to me there required an instant protest. That is why I actually decided to come back. At one point, they tried very hard to make me enter India and participate in my regular activities. As an adviser to the prime minister, I felt there needed to be a signature from the state or the government."

The prime minister's adviser had arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday evening to attend the two-day meeting of senior officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in Delhi, where he was scheduled to lead the Bangladesh delegation.

Despite prior diplomatic communication, Indian immigration authorities barred Dr Zahed Ur Rahman from entering Delhi on Sunday evening. Although he was later granted permission following orders from higher authorities, the prime minister's adviser refused to enter India and decided to return to Dhaka via Colombo. He returned to Dhaka on Monday afternoon.

A responsible official of the foreign ministry said the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi had formally informed the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Friday about the adviser's participation in the meeting.