Dhaka, June 16, 2025 — Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Dr. Khalilur Rahman, quietly left for the United States yesterday amid growing questions surrounding the nature and transparency of his trip. According to official documents issued by the Chief Adviser’s Office on June 15, Rahman has been granted a 10-day “leave” from June 16 to June 26. However, the same notification also refers to the trip as an “official visit,” raising eyebrows over the actual purpose and classification of the journey.The notice, signed and authorized by top-level officials in the interim government, states that the NSA is visiting the U.S. “to meet senior American officials,” yet curiously frames the tour as being conducted while on personal leave. Adding to the confusion, the document affirms that all travel expenses—airfare, accommodation, and other allowances—will be borne by the Dhaka office, not by Rahman himself, as would typically be expected during personal leave.Flight records confirm that Dr. Rahman boarded Emirates Flight EK‑587 from Dhaka to Dubai, from where he is scheduled to continue his journey to the United States. While the exact nature of his meetings in Washington or elsewhere remains undisclosed, sources close to the administration suggest he may be engaging in high-level security or diplomatic consultations, possibly tied to the ongoing political restructuring under the interim regime.Dr. Rahman’s travel also comes at a politically sensitive moment. He recently returned from London, where he was a key member of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s entourage during a five-day visit (June 9–13). During that trip, he reportedly played a pivotal role in closed-door discussions with British officials and a controversial meeting with BNP’s acting chairperson Tarique Rahman, further entangling him in the political calculus of the transitional government.Notably, Dr. Rahman did not take time off during the recent Eid-ul-Adha holidays, underscoring his central involvement in state affairs during this critical period. Insiders claim that he is expected to travel to China later this month, indicating a series of strategic foreign engagements by Bangladesh’s interim leadership.Political analysts and civil society actors have begun voicing concerns over the contradictory language used in the official documentation. The blend of “leave” and “official visit” not only blurs the line between personal and state responsibilities but also raises questions about accountability and procedural transparency in the current unelected caretaker regime.“The public deserves clarity on whether state officials are abroad on personal grounds or conducting crucial diplomatic business,” said one former bureaucrat who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Using vague terminology allows space for misuse of state resources and undermines institutional trust.”As Bangladesh continues to navigate a turbulent political transition, the role and movements of key figures like Dr. Khalilur Rahman are being closely scrutinized both at home and abroad. Whether this U.S. trip yields strategic outcomes or further controversy remains to be seen.
