Bangladesh PM’s advisor stopped at Delhi airport leading to diplomatic row, authorities say his name was on MEA ‘blacklist’

New Delhi: Zahed Ur Rahman, advisor on policy and strategy affairs to the Bangladesh’s prime minister, Tarique Rahman, was stopped by immigration authorities at New Delhi airport, on Sunday, and held for more than two hours after an alert was triggered during routine immigration checks. Rahman had arrived in the Indian capital to attend a meeting of senior officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

After waiting for more than two hours, he decided not to continue with the visit and informed officials that he would return to Dhaka.

Reports indicated that Rahman was travelling on a regular passport carrying a Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) visa and had been nominated by the Bangladesh government to attend the regional meeting. Despite the incident, other members of the Bangladeshi delegation attended the IORA meeting as planned.

The episode triggered a diplomatic response from Dhaka, with Bangladesh summoning India’s deputy high commissioner to Bangladesh, Pawan Badhe, and expressing concern over the treatment of the senior official.

The matter was raised with Badhe after Rahman was detained upon his arrival in New Delhi. Bangladesh’s foreign minister, Khalilur Rahman, described the incident as “unexpected and unfortunate”, while other government officials said they did not expect such treatment for a representative travelling as part of an official delegation.

Diplomatic sources cited by media outlets said Bangladeshi authorities had informed India in advance that Rahman would be leading the delegation. Bangladesh’s high commissioner to India, Muhammad Riaz Hamidullah, was also reportedly present at the airport and attempted to assist in resolving the issue.

The delay occurred because Rahman’s name had been included in a blacklist generated by the Ministry of External Affairs in 2025. The report said the blacklist entry had not been withdrawn, which led immigration authorities to stop him for verification upon arrival, the Hindu reported.

New Delhi has not issued a formal public statement on the episode. However, official sources said the delay was procedural and not linked to Rahman’s official status as a member of the Bangladeshi government.

The episode marks the second time in recent months that Bangladesh has summoned India’s acting envoy in Dhaka. Earlier this year, Dhaka raised concerns over remarks by the Assam chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, on migration and border-related issues.

The development comes as India and Bangladesh work to stabilize ties following political changes in Dhaka. While engagement between the two countries has increased since Tarique Rahman’s government took office, differences remain over issues such as the alleged pushback of undocumented migrants across the border and the status of the deposed former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, who remains in India.

Meanwhile, Rahman is expected to undertake his first overseas visits since assuming office, with trips to Malaysia and China planned later this month. Official sources have said the visits are unlikely to affect India-Bangladesh relations, emphasizing that bilateral ties are driven by longstanding strategic interests. Reports also suggest that Rahman may visit India in July after completing the foreign tour.