Dhaka Rejects India’s Explanation Over Delhi Airport Incident

Bangladesh has described India’s explanation regarding the incident involving adviser Zahed Ur Rahman at Delhi’s airport as “unsatisfactory”, characterising the episode as both “unfortunate” and “regrettable”.

Responding to questions about comments made by the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, a spokesperson for Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) that the explanation provided by the Indian side did not adequately address the concerns raised by Dhaka.

According to the Bangladeshi foreign ministry, Indian authorities had been formally informed through diplomatic channels in advance that Zahed Ur Rahman would lead Bangladesh’s delegation to a meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), a regional organisation that promotes cooperation among countries bordering the Indian Ocean.

The spokesperson said that despite prior notification being given through the appropriate diplomatic process, the events that unfolded at Delhi airport were unexpected and disappointing. “Even after the matter had been communicated beforehand, the incident involving him at Delhi airport was unfortunate and regrettable,” the spokesperson stated.

Zahed Ur Rahman had been scheduled to head the Bangladesh delegation at an IORA meeting earlier this month. However, he was reportedly prevented from continuing his journey after arriving at Delhi airport, prompting concerns in Dhaka and drawing attention to the handling of diplomatic travel arrangements involving an official representative of the Bangladeshi government.

The incident has added a new dimension to discussions surrounding diplomatic protocol and communication between the two neighbouring countries. While Bangladesh has refrained from escalating its criticism, officials have made clear that they expected smoother coordination after the necessary notifications had been delivered to the relevant Indian authorities.

The matter arose against the backdrop of ongoing diplomatic engagement between Bangladesh and India on a range of regional and bilateral issues. Both countries maintain extensive cooperation in areas such as trade, connectivity, security and regional forums, making effective diplomatic communication particularly important when dealing with official delegations and international meetings.

In a separate response to questions regarding remarks from India’s foreign ministry about minority communities in Bangladesh, the Bangladeshi foreign ministry reiterated its position that every state bears an equal responsibility to safeguard the rights and security of all citizens living within its territory, especially members of minority communities.

The spokesperson reaffirmed that the Government of Bangladesh remains committed to protecting the rights, dignity and security of all citizens, including those belonging to minority groups. The government, he said, continues to uphold its responsibility to ensure equal protection under the law and maintain the safety of every community across the country.

Dhaka’s latest comments underline its dissatisfaction with the explanation offered by India regarding the airport incident, while also emphasising its commitment to maintaining diplomatic engagement and protecting the rights of all citizens at home.