Someone once said, one thoughtless act is what it takes to undermine efforts to mend the fences with the neighbour. Sadly, that line has been proved once again as we wake up on Monday to come across a rather unsavoury bit of news - PM’s information adviser made to wait at the Delhi airport for an excessively long period, facing what can easily be termed a grilling of sorts.
Naturally, any person possessing self-respect for himself and the country he represents would feel affronted and when the person in question happens to hold a significant government position then any situation s/he is involved in becomes a state affair.
Obviously, in the face of such an unpleasant situation, the adviser decided to come back toBangladesh instead of entering, although, reportedly, in the end he was permitted entry.
This incident is dominating the social media pages at this moment with users from all social spheres giving their comments. One does not have to be an international relations expert to understand that such maladroit handling of a government official of a neighbouring country can have repercussions.
More so because relations between India and Bangladesh have been rocky since the ousting of the AL regime in Aug 2024. Looking at the Indo-Bangladesh relations from an objective standpoint without being influenced by any emotion, the undeniable fact remains: a warm and trusting relation is in the benefit of both sides.
The relation between the two nations encompasses trade, tourism, medical and cultural tourism with a significant number of people in India’s West Bengal having roots in Bangladesh.
But we all know that. We also admit that in any solid relation there are ups and downs, just like any marriage where low points often lead to high ones. However, troubles in relations do not get better automatically, concerted efforts need to be made. Usually by both sides!
The fall out of the Delhi Airport Debacle: The Bangladeshi government official who reportedly faced harassment, reclaimed his passport and decided to leave without letting the matter escalate. As per available information we know that the adviser was questioned because his name was reportedly in a ‘list’, which, we can now safely assume, has not been updated even though there has been an election in Bangladesh and the new government in place is four months old. This shows negligence.
Standard rules state that when a government official is travelling to another country to take part in an invited event, the immigration plus the government of the other nation will be informed beforehand to facilitate the entry.
In addition to the government note verbale, the authority of the airline involved also informs beforehand that a high-ranking government official of the neighbouring country is on board. Officials associated with an event, featuring foreign dignitaries, are usually present at the airport to receive guests. These are common and widely practiced systems.
Assuming that all of these were adhered to, the time wasting at the airport seems puzzling. This untoward incident comes when both India and Bangladesh are trying to leave the past behind and start with a renewed air of cooperation.
As I said at the beginning, one misstep is all it takes to unravel months of dedicated effort. Naturally, with such an episode, government officials travelling in the future may feel a sense of unease. But let’s look at the wider impact.
Bangladeshis will rightly feel slighted, because even for argument’s sake if we take that the adviser was just an ordinary traveller with a SAARC visa, such treatment is uncalled for. From the facts available so far, we know that the honourable adviser did not find a direct flight back to Dhaka and then, decided to come back via another country.
Just out of curiosity, did the India ministry of External Affairs intervene with the appropriate protocol to tackle the matter?If UK-USA ties are called special then Bangladesh and India are like two closebuddies.
We all know, in buddy realm, demands/expectations are always high. The dost cannot act like a dushman, if I may use the name of a famous Bangladeshi film from the 70s. For a friend, the door should be wide open and the questions asked in an air of joviality and cordiality.
Bangladesh is on a new democratic trajectory and the country aspires to move forward with all our SAARC brothers, and never alone.
Hopefully, there will be a wholehearted attempt from the Indian side to defuse the disquiet stemming from the Delhi airport contretemps. For both India and Bangladesh, the song from 1975 super hit Bollywood film Sholay should always be the driving/underpinning force: "Yeh dosti hum nahi todenge".
The writer is a former journalist
