Correspondent
Bangladesh Prime Minister’s aide Dr Zahed Ur Rahaman’s brief sudden exit at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on June 14 has triggered a controversy that later gained traction on social media in Bangladesh. The matter was made public via a Facebook post from an terminated Bangladeshi media diplomat official, who suggested lapses on the part of Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi.
Asked about the incident during a media briefing on Tuesday, Randhir Jaiswal, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Dr Rahaman, an adviser to the Bangladesh Prime Minister, was allowed entry after a brief round of questioning by immigration authorities. He later returned to Dhaka via Colombo.
How the controversy began
The episode did not initially appear in any official statement from either government. Neither the visiting Bangladeshi delegation, the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, nor Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly raised concerns about the matter at the time.
The issue first surfaced on social media through a Facebook post by Faisal Mahmud, former Press Minister at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. Mahmud, who was later removed from service, cited unnamed sources and alleged that procedural lapses within the mission contributed to confusion surrounding Dr Rahaman’s visit.
He claimed the High Commission in New Delhi may not have adequately communicated details of the visit to relevant authorities. However, he also stated that there was no indication of disrespect or improper intent from Indian authorities.
Mahmud further named and urged Bangladesh’s authorities to review the conduct of High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah, suggesting that communication gaps may have contributed to the situation.
Visa and Arrival of PM’s Aide
Dr Rahaman, a Physician and media commentator travelled on a civilian passport carrying a SAARC visa sticker, a special travel arrangement under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) framework. The scheme allows visa-free or facilitated travel for selected categories of individuals, eminent personalities including journalist, business leaders, and other designated persons from member countries.
According to sources, the visa was valid and recognised under established SAARC protocols.
Sources familiar with the matter noted that India, which processes a large volume of visa applications, issues SAARC visa stickers less frequently compared to some other member states.
Purpose of visit and entry clearance
The MEA clarified that Dr Rahaman had travelled to India to attend the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). After verification of his purpose of visit, immigration authorities cleared him to enter the country.
Despite being permitted entry, Dr Rahaman later decided to return to Dhaka shortly after arrival.
Officials said the decision to leave was taken by him and was not the result of any denial of entry.
Diplomatic context and reactions
Riaz Hamidullah, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, and his team made efforts to facilitate the visi, according to sources in the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh. The aide was highly convinced and there was no doubt in any negligence, theNewsSite.In learnt.
The circumstances surrounding Dr Rahaman’s brief stay soon became the subject of speculation in diplomatic and social media circles.
However, Indian authorities, according to sources, were aware of past public statements made by Dr Rahaman that were critical of India prior to his appointment as an adviser. However, officials emphasized that this did not prevent his entry into the country.
Social media and internal diplomatic tensions
The matter gained wider attention after Faisal Mahmud’s Facebook post, which appeared to shift focus toward internal administrative and communication issues within the Bangladeshi diplomatic mission. This is taking place at a time Bangladesh just received an Indian High commissioner and afterall the nation is reshuffling top leaderships in the foreign office. Hamidullah is also in the contest for the Foreign Secretary post, sources informed theNewSite.in months ago.
Observers noted that the Rahaman’s exit row gained traction primarily after the social media post, rather than through any official communication from either government.
Mahmud’s post came after removal from service during the tenure of the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus. Sources familiar with developments said his dismissal may have contributed to his public criticism, though this has not been independently verified.
The incident has since become a topic of debate among observers, with differing interpretations of whether it reflects procedural gaps within diplomatic communication or routine administrative confusion.
Diplomatic sources noted that the timing is sensitive, as Bangladesh and India have been working to stabilise and improve bilateral relations following a period of political uncertainty.
Speaking on this with TheNewsSite.In, a former security official of India, who dealt with similar issues remarked, “if there’s any tip off or input about any visitor, it’s the job of the concerned official at airport to check required papers.”
The former security officials referred once incident from 2013, when then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and minister Azam Khan visited the United States for a Harvard program on being invited. Upon arrival at Boston Logan Airport, Azam Khan was briefly subjected to secondary questioning by US immigration authorities, which officials described as routine security screening. However, Azam Khan considered the questioning humiliating and raised objections, leading to a strong reaction from the delegation. In protest, parts of their planned visit were curtailed, including cancellations or reduced participation in scheduled events connected to the Harvard programme and official receptions.
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