Diplomatic Row Erupts: Bangladesh Summons Indian Envoy After PM’s Adviser Detained at Delhi Airport

Dhaka: Bangladesh has lodged a formal protest with India. The foreign ministry in Dhaka summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe on Monday. The protest was over the detention of Bangladesh Prime Minister's adviser Zahed Ur Rahman at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.

What had happened at the airport?

Zahed Ur Rahman had travelled to New Delhi to attend the 28th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. He landed at IGI Airport but was stopped at security. His name had apparently shown up on a watchlist. He was held for questioning for nearly two and a half hours. Eventually, Indian authorities cleared him and allowed him to proceed. But by then the damage was done. Rahman decided not to attend the meetings he had come for. He returned to Bangladesh on Monday itself.

How Bangladesh reacted?

Bangladesh's foreign affairs adviser Khalilur Rahman called the incident deeply regrettable. The summons was issued to Pawan Badhe who is currently serving as acting High Commissioner. The newly appointed Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi arrived in Bangladesh via the Benapole land port on June 12 to replace outgoing High Commissioner Pranay Verma. He has not yet presented his credentials to the Bangladesh President so Badhe is still holding charge.

Bad timing for both countries?

This incident has come at a particularly awkward moment. Both India and Bangladesh have been trying to strengthen ties. Just days before this episode Bangladesh's foreign affairs adviser Humayun Kabir had spoken about the need for a positive relationship between the two neighbors. He had stressed that regional cooperation requires both countries to work together. The detention of a senior Bangladeshi official on Indian soil has now cast a shadow over those efforts and given observers plenty to talk about.