Diplomatic spat over PM adviser's Delhi entry denial

Blocking entry of Bangladesh Prime Minister's Adviser on Policy and Strategy, Zahed Ur Rahman, into India by immigration authorities in New Delhi generates a diplomatic row as Dhaka summoned the Indian envoy Monday to know the grounds.
Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called India's Acting High Commissioner in Dhaka, Pawan Badhe, over the incident that hit media headlines.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman described the incident as "unfortunate" and "regrettable," saying that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was taking appropriate measures in response to what had happened to the prime minister's adviser.
Speaking to reporters at the Foreign Ministry, the minister said, "The government views the matter seriously and is pursuing the issue through diplomatic channels."
Dr Zahed Ur Rahman arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Sunday evening to attend a two-day meeting of senior officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), which began in the Indian capital on Monday.
He was scheduled to lead the Bangladesh delegation at the sub-regional bloc's meeting.
Despite prior notification through diplomatic correspondence, Indian immigration authorities prevented the prime minister's adviser from entering the country upon his arrival on Sunday evening.
According to officials, permission was later granted following intervention from higher authorities. However, by then, Zahed had decided not to proceed with his visit to New Delhi and instead opted to return to Dhaka via Colombo.
He arrived back in Dhaka on Monday from Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka.
A senior official of Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi had formally informed India's Ministry of External Affairs on Friday about the adviser's participation in the IORA meeting in the Indian capital.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com