Bangladesh summons Indian envoy after Delhi airport delay

A diplomatic incident has arisen between India and Bangladesh after a senior adviser to Bangladesh's prime minister was delayed and questioned upon arrival at New Delhi's airport, prompting a formal protest from Dhaka.

Zahed Ur Rahman, an adviser on policy and strategy to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, was stopped by Indian immigration authorities at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday, June 14. He was held for approximately two hours for verification procedures before being cleared for entry under a one-time exemption. Despite the clearance, Rahman chose to abandon his official visit and returned to Dhaka via Colombo on Monday afternoon.

Rahman had traveled to India to lead Bangladesh's delegation to the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), a two-day meeting hosted by India's Ministry of External Affairs beginning Monday, June 15. Diplomatic sources indicate Bangladesh had formally informed India in advance of his participation. Other members of the Bangladeshi delegation reportedly entered without difficulty.

In response to the incident, Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Indian Deputy High...