By denying entry to British parliamentarian and lawyer Lord Alexander Carlile, it’s apparent that Delhi’s priority is its relation with Dhaka.
Carlile, who is a legal consultant for BNP chief Khaleda Zia, was reported to have travelled to Delhi to address the media on how the Bangladesh government used politically motivated false charges to shut Khaleda out of the next general election.
The Indian foreign ministry said he was refused entry due to an inappropriate visa.
“What I understand is, firstly he wanted to create a problem in India-Bangladesh relations and secondly, he also aimed to create a rift between India and the opposition party in Bangladesh,” said Raveesh Kumar, the spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Lord Carlile, who had to take the return flight to London after being sent back by the immigration at the Delhi airport, claims that the Bangladesh government pressured India to take the decision and it should be “ashamed.”
Speaking to the media in Delhi through video conference on Thursday, he said, “As soon as I switched my phone on after arriving Delhi, I found a text saying that my visa has been cancelled. To be honest, the immigration officials were very polite, but India had no good reason for denying entry.”
The Indian foreign office said that his intended activity in India was incompatible with the purpose of his visit as mentioned in his visa application.
Lord Carlile, however, claims that Dhaka had pressured Delhi and even summoned the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka to “tell him not let me enter”.
“Strangely, India has complied and vehemently lying. It should be ashamed of not allowing a British QC (Queen’s Counsel) and a House of Lords member,” he said.
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