Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday arrived in Bangladesh on a two-day visit to the nation, his first tour to a foreign country since the Covid-19 outbreak last year. He was received by his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and was accorded the Guard of Honour.
After his arrival to the country, Modi headed to the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar and planted a sapling at the site.
During his visit, Modi will hold “substantive discussions” with Hasina and participate at Bangladesh National Day celebrations. He will also meet Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid, and interact with other dignitaries.
“PM Narendra Modi emplanes for Dhaka. During his Bangladesh visit he will take part in a wide range of programmes aimed at furthering cooperation with our friendly neighbour,” the PMO tweeted, sharing a picture of Modi boarding the aircraft.
PM @narendramodi emplanes for Dhaka.During his Bangladesh visit he will take part in a wide range of programmes aimed at furthering cooperation with our friendly neighbour. pic.twitter.com/X5qzwvjFNF
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 26, 2021
After reaching Bangladesh on Friday, March 26, Modi will attend an event at the National Martyr’s Memorial and the National Day programme. He will also visit Bangabandhu’s Samadhi in Tungipara to pay his respects to the the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who Modi said was one of the tallest leaders of the last century.
Modi will also pay a visit to Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple located in Ishwaripur area of Shyamnagar in Bangleadesh. The temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali, is considered to be one of the 51 Shakti Peeths. Modi, who is known to be an ardent devotee of Goddess Kali, will be the first head of any country’s government to visit the temple. Modi’s arrival has created a festive atmosphere in the entire region.
Earlier on Thursday, the prime minister expressed his happiness over his visit to the neighbouring nation. “I am happy that my first foreign visit after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic will be to our friendly neighbouring country, with which India shares deep cultural, linguistic and people-to-people ties,” Modi had said.
“My visit will not only be an occasion to convey appreciation for Bangladesh’s remarkable economic and developmental strides under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership, but also to commit India’s abiding support for these achievements,” he added.
As I leave for Bangladesh tomorrow, I look forward to remembering the life and ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and celebrate 50 years of Bangladesh’s War of Liberation, as well as our diplomatic ties. https://t.co/74FLn4MvHB— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 25, 2021
Modi said during his visit he will also express India’s support and solidarity for Bangladesh’s fight against Covid-19.
Modi’s visit is taking place at a time Bangladesh is commemorating Mujib Borsho, the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of the country’s War of Liberation. The two countries are also celebrating 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
