DHAKA, July 12, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh will attend 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, foreign ministry’s officials said.

Bangladesh has taken a policy decision to participate in the BIMSTEC National Security Advisers’ Meeting in New Delhi on July 16, notwithstanding the recent diplomatic row over the treatment of Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman at Delhi airport.

Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd.) Dr. A.K.M. Shamsul Islam has been nominated to represent Bangladesh at the meeting, while the government of India has been informed of his participation through diplomatic channels, foreign ministry’s officials familiar with the matter said.

Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Bangladesh, as the current Chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), has a responsibility to participate in the meeting.

They said Dhaka had earlier rejected as unsatisfactory the explanation provided by India’s Ministry of External Affairs over the incident in which Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman was denied entry and sent back from New Delhi.

The officials said Bangladesh would closely observe whether the host country adheres to established international diplomatic norms and protocol during Brigadier General Shamsul Islam’s visit.

They said New Delhi has already been requested to extend appropriate diplomatic courtesies and protocol to Brigadier General Shamsul Islam and the accompanying delegation.

According to the officials, India’s conduct during the visit will be an important consideration in shaping future high-level visits and other official engagements between the two neighbouring countries.