Prime Minister’s Adviser on Policy and Strategy Affairs Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said he decided to return home from New Delhi as an instant protest, stressing that this is a government with an overwhelming majority and popular mandate, not the Sheikh Hasina government.

“I did not go there as an individual; I went as a representative of the government. Therefore, what happened to me there required an instant protest…. just to give a message that I was maltreated and was not treated appropriately. That is why I decided to return,” he told reporters at a press conference at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room at the Secretariat.

He said that after a certain point, the Indian authorities made repeated efforts sincerely to persuade him to enter the country and continue with his scheduled engagements.

“As the Prime Minister’s adviser, I felt that there should be a clear signature or position from the state or the government regarding the incident,” he added.

Friends May Change, Neighbours Do Not

The adviser said he does not believe the incident will have any impact on future Dhaka-Delhi engagement.

“I want to engage with India. There is an opportunity to improve relations in trade and commerce on the basis of equality,” he said.

The adviser said one can change a friend but cannot change his or her neighbour, and it is true for both Bangladesh and India.

Stating that it is not the intention to create any negative situation through this incident, the adviser said he hopes the incident will not affect future engagement between the two countries.

In response to a question on whether he would visit India in the future, he said, “I will definitely go. I am making this very clear: if I receive a proper invitation, I will definitely go. I want to engage with India logically and rationally.”

“When I talk about engaging with India, some people think that I am going to sell out the country. This government will never have relations with India by selling out Bangladesh. First of all, we are saying - Bangladesh First,” he added.

Dr Zahed also said Bangladesh continues to maintain important cooperation with India on water-sharing and regional issues, including the Ganges Water Treaty, the Teesta agreement, and other transboundary river discussions.

The adviser also appreciated the efforts of Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, M. Riaz Hamidullah, who, according to him, did his utmost to resolve the matter.

“I never intended for this to create any kind of reciprocal negative situation. I felt that a message needed to be conveyed to everyone in this country and outside the country, which is that this is not the Sheikh Hasina government. This is a government with a popular mandate.”

The adviser said a government with a popular mandate must operate both inside and outside the country with that in mind. “At the same time, others must also take that into cognizance.”

Bangladesh has a clear policy in its future engagements not only with India but with any other country, he said. “We do not want any kind of very bad situation with any country, let alone hostility.”

Not Carrying Diplomatic Passport Isn’t An Issue

He dismissed claims that the issue was related to holding a diplomatic passport, saying such a document is optional and not mandatory for foreign travel.

“There is no specific reason (for not availing of a diplomatic passport),” the adviser said, indicating that the issue of a diplomatic passport is not relevant in this case.

He said a SAARC sticker was attached to his passport, which was supposed to be effective in the same way as a diplomatic passport in such situations. “So, it is not a reason at all.”

“If I do not avail of a diplomatic passport, does that mean I cannot travel abroad? Holding a diplomatic passport is not mandatory. It is a privilege that I can avail of. It is not that I must hold or use a diplomatic passport,” the adviser said.

Bangladesh had informed the Indian Ministry of External Affairs about Dr Zahed’s visit to Delhi at least two days in advance. Despite this, he was kept waiting for two hours at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

After landing at the airport, he was received by Bangladesh High Commissioner in Delhi M Riaz Hamidullah and taken to the immigration desk.

The adviser was scheduled to attend the 28th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). India hosted the meeting (June 15-16) in New Delhi.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner and Chargé d’Affaires to Bangladesh Pawan Badhe and conveyed Dhaka’s displeasure to New Delhi regarding the incident involving PM’s Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman at Delhi airport.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman described the incident as “unexpected and unfortunate” and said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking appropriate steps regarding the matter.

“It is an unexpected incident, unfortunate too,” he said while briefly talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

While responding to a question, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said the incident is certainly not “welcoming”, and they do not expect this kind of incident to happen.

“Our ministry is looking into this and communicating with India, and will certainly take action, if required, once the full details of the incident are known,” she said.