Bangladesh has decided to participate in the upcoming BIMSTEC National Security Advisers’ meeting in New Delhi on July 16, despite rejecting India’s explanation regarding a recent incident involving the Prime Minister’s Advisor, Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, at a Delhi airport. According to officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh has made a policy decision to attend. As the current chair of BIMSTEC, Bangladesh views its participation as both an institutional responsibility and a regional obligation.
The country will be represented at the meeting by the Prime Minister’s Defense Advisor, Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam. The government has already formally notified New Delhi of his participation through diplomatic channels.
Foreign ministry officials reiterated that Dhaka deemed the explanation provided by India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman’s airport return unsatisfactory and subsequently rejected it. However, officials noted that Bangladesh will closely monitor whether the host country properly adheres to international diplomatic norms and state protocol during Brigadier General Shamsul Islam’s visit. The Indian government has been urged to extend all necessary diplomatic courtesies to the visiting delegation. Officials added that India’s conduct during this visit will serve as a crucial benchmark for determining future high-level visits and formal engagements between the two nations.
