Zahed Ur Rahman returns from New Delhi airport after immigration dispute

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting, Policy and Strategy, and Culture Dr Zahed Ur Rahman returned from New Delhi airport after travelling to India to attend an Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) conference, according to sources close to him.

The adviser travelled from Dhaka to New Delhi on Sunday. However, he later decided not to enter India and returned to Bangladesh after expressing dissatisfaction over what was described as discourteous treatment by Indian immigration authorities.

Sources familiar with the matter said Dr Zahed, who holds the rank of a state minister, was questioned for about an hour upon arrival at Delhi airport before being granted permission to enter the country.

Although Indian authorities later cleared him for entry, the adviser reportedly declined to proceed with his visit due to dissatisfaction with the handling of the immigration process. He subsequently decided to return to Bangladesh via a third country.

According to the sources, Dr Zahed was travelling on a regular passport on an Air India flight that departed Dhaka at 3:20pm on Sunday, although he is eligible for a diplomatic passport by virtue of his official status.

The sources further claimed that he was stopped at the airport after his name appeared on an Indian security watchlist.

As of late Sunday night, Dr Zahed was on his way back to Bangladesh, according to sources close to him.