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Bangladesh has decided to participate in the BIMSTEC National Security Advisers’ Meeting in New Delhi on July 16 despite rejecting India’s explanation over the recent airport incident involving Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The decision comes amid a diplomatic row triggered after Dr Zahed Ur Rahman was denied entry into India and sent back from New Delhi, an explanation Dhaka has described as unsatisfactory.
Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd.) Dr A.K.M. Shamsul Islam has been nominated to represent Bangladesh at the meeting. The government has already informed New Delhi of his participation through diplomatic channels, officials familiar with the matter said.
Foreign ministry officials said Bangladesh, as the current Chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), considers its participation in the meeting an important responsibility despite the recent bilateral tensions.
They said Bangladesh had formally conveyed its dissatisfaction with the explanation provided by India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding the treatment of Dr Zahed Ur Rahman at Delhi airport.
Officials added that Dhaka would closely monitor whether India observes established international diplomatic norms and protocols during Brigadier General Shamsul Islam’s visit.
Bangladesh has requested the Indian authorities to extend full diplomatic courtesies and protocol to the Defence Adviser and the accompanying delegation throughout the visit.
According to the officials, India’s handling of the upcoming visit will be an important factor in shaping future high-level exchanges and other official engagements between the two neighbouring countries.