PM's adviser Zahed returns home via Colombo after being stopped at Delhi airport

PM's Information Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman reached Dhaka from Colombo on a SriLankan Airlines flight this morning (15 June) after being briefly stopped at Delhi airport as his name reportedly appeared on a security-related watchlist. 

Sources close to Zahed told UNB that he was subjected to "undue harassment" at Delhi airport, but there has been no official comment as yet from Dhaka and New Delhi on the matter.

The adviser was not carrying a diplomatic passport. He was travelling on a regular Bangladeshi (green) passport with a Saarc visa, reports UNB.

Zahed left New Delhi for Colombo on an Air India flight last night. He arrived in the Sri Lankan capital early today and departed for Dhaka at around 8am, according to Prothom Alo.

Government sources in Dhaka said authorities are seeking detailed information about the incident involving the adviser's entry being blocked at Delhi airport.

Zahed had arrived in India as part of a Bangladeshi delegation to attend an official meeting when immigration officials flagged his name during routine checks. 

He was subsequently held for verification.

Sources said the issue stemmed from an apparent administrative error. While his name had earlier been removed from a social media-related blacklist, it allegedly remained on an immigration watchlist, triggering the alert upon his arrival.

Although reports said Indian authorities later cleared him after identifying and resolving the discrepancy, Zahed did not continue with the visit and instead headed towards Bangladesh via Colombo.

Zahed was scheduled to participate as a member of the Bangladesh delegation at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) conference, set to begin today, reports Hindustan Times.

The incident comes at a time when relations between Bangladesh and India remain sensitive amid a range of bilateral issues.