Adviser barred from entering India
Published: 12:39 AM, 16 June 2026
Is Bangladesh HC in Delhi Responsible for Unprofessional Approach?
The occurrence of the Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman being barred at an airport in New Delhi on Sunday (14 June 2026) has in the meantime flooded social media and it has triggered astonishment and critical responses from domestic as well as international platforms about the alleged unprofessional conduct from Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. Foreign affairs experts, noted politicians and veteran diplomats have said that Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi Riaz Hamidullah cannot avoid liability for this unwanted incident which has embarrassed the Bangladesh government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Moreover, foreign services analysts have stated that quick and thorough investigations should be carried out to ascertain whether conspiracies are being plotted to disrupt diplomatic efforts at such a time while Bangladesh-India relations are going through a recovery phase after the present government took power in February 2026 under the competent and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Diplomatic missions in foreign countries have to smoothly coordinate visits by higher officials by providing updated information to immigration authorities as well as government high-ups before their arrivals. In case of observations from the host country, the envoys have to keep visiting guests precisely informed about latest circumstances, probable impediments and watchlists at international airports. A few functionaries from Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi have told journalists on condition of anonymity that they could not carry out foolproof coordinating on Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman's India trip because Riaz Hamidullah, Bangladesh High Commissioner stationed in Delhi did not give them categorical instructions. As a result Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman was embarrassed at the New Delhi airport and later on he cancelled the trip and headed to Colombo, reports BBC.
Riaz Hamidullah basked in pampering from the ousted Awami League ruling party as well as retained hand-in-glove attachments with the immediate past interim government and he was rewarded with prize postings to Netherlands and Sri Lanka from 2020-2024 and from 2016-2020 respectively. Earlier on when Riaz Hamidullah was Chief of Protocol at the Foreign Ministry in Dhaka, he was found denying to meet vital diplomats visiting from abroad. During the interim government's tenure, Riaz Hamidullah acted viciously by attempting to divide Bangladesh by means of the proposed Humanitarian Corridor with Rakhine province. His activities match the "Gupto" entities (sleeper cells) inside state organs. The Asian Age published reports on Riaz Hamidullah's connivance with Awami League President and unseated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 9 May 2026 headlined "Strategic Envoy Changes Essential to Avert Risks". Riaz Hamidullah admired Sheikh Hasina on his social media profiles with photographs on a number of occasions.
Another development shows that the Foreign Ministry summoned Acting Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Pawan Kumar Badhe on Monday over the obstruction of Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman by the Indian immigration department.
Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman on Monday (15 June 2026) described the blocking of Zahed Ur Rahman's travel at the immigration checkpoint at New Delhi airport as an unexpected and unfortunate incident.
"This is an unexpected incident, as you said, it is also unfortunate," he told reporters in response to a question at the Foreign Ministry on Monday.
"The Foreign Ministry is taking appropriate measures and we'll update you at the end of the day," he added.
Zahed Ur Rahman arrived at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday evening to attend a two-day meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), which began yesterday.
He was scheduled to lead the Bangladesh delegation team at the meeting.
However, Indian immigration authorities reportedly kept him waiting at the airport for nearly two and a half hours. During that time, it remained uncertain whether he would be granted entry into India. In the end, Zahed Ur Rahman decided to return to Bangladesh.
According to a report by Indian news outlet News18, immigration officials questioned Zahed Ur Rahman for an extended period before eventually allowing him entry into India. The adviser, however, declined to proceed with the visit.
He later on decided to cancel the official trip and return home in protest against what he described as "discourteous treatment" and the prolonged delay.
Travelling from New Delhi to Colombo and then to Dhaka, he arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:30am on Monday.
When journalists at the airport sought comments on the incident in Delhi, Zahed Ur Rahman declined to answer.
The episode comes at a time when reports suggest efforts are underway to improve affiliation between Bangladesh and India. Questions have since emerged over why an adviser from Bangladesh holding the rank of a state minister had to face such a humiliating situation during an official foreign visit.
Posts on social media have suggested that Zahed Ur Rahman travelled to India using a regular passport and a SAARC visa rather than a diplomatic travel document.
High-ups in the government are normally received by protocol officers from the Bangladesh mission in the host country upon arrival. What transpired in this case is not yet clarified.
Criticisms have been meanwhile pitched over the clumsy role of Bangladesh diplomatic mission in New Delhi who failed to integrate the Adviser's visit properly.
Local Government and Rural Development Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that Bangladesh is sincere about restoring friendly ties with India. The misunderstanding which took place at the New Delhi airport over Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman's visit will be resolved soon, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed hope.
Rumeen Farhana MP said that the allegations about negligence from Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi should be examined swiftly and stern actions need to be taken to ensure accountability in all diplomatic missions representing Bangladesh in foreign countries.
Former Ambassador Humayun Kabir commented that the Foreign Ministry should issue orders to all embassies and high commissions working for Bangladesh overseas to operate efficiently to uphold the country's honour everywhere without fail. No compromise over professionalism in Foreign Services should be allowed, Humayun Kabir asserted.
