New Delhi: On the eve of his first foreign visit in 15 months, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that he was looking forward to travelling to Bangladesh to attend the celebrations to mark the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“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,” said Modi in his departure statement.
He will be leaving for Dhaka in the early hours of Friday. On the first day of his visit, he will attend the National Day event and inaugurate Bapu Bangabandhu Digital Video Exhibition.
“I look forward to my participation at the National Day celebrations tomorrow, which will also commemorate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangabandhu was one of the tallest leaders of the last century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions. I look forward to visiting Bangabandhu’s Samadhi in Tungipara to pay my respects to his memory,” he stated.
At a special media briefing on Wednesday, Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla stated that there Modi would be the “first Indian dignitary to ever visit Tungipara which many of us known as family home of Rahman”.
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During his visit, Modi will call on President of Bangladesh Md Abdul Hamid and will hold “substantive discussions” with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“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. I will also express India’s support and solidarity for Bangladesh’s fight against COVID-19,” he said.
The prime minister will also interact with diverse groups of Bangladesh’s polity and society which will include the representatives of the country’s ruling 14-party alliance, the opposition party, freedom fighters, community leaders and youth icons, Shringla said.
The Indian prime minister is also slated to visit Jashoreshwari Kali Temple and meet with representatives of the Matua community at Orakandi.
Following discussion, several agreements are expected to be signed by the two sides, including in areas of disaster management, trade and oceanography.