Dhaka, Dec 15: Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday arrived in Dhaka for his three-day state visit to attend the celebrations marking the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s victory in its Liberations War and the closing of Mujib year.
President Kovind arrived at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:10 am aboard Air India flight AI1. He was welcomed by his Bangladesh counterpart Md Abdul Hamid.
Kovind is accompanied by his wife and daughter, Indian Education Minister, two Members of Parliament and Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
It is President Kovind’s first-ever trip to Bangladesh, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said.
As per the schedule, Kovind will at first visit the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar.
He will then visit the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum to pay respect to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Momen said.
Highlighting Kovind’s visit and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year, the Foreign Minister said, “The President and the Prime Minister of a country touring a neighbouring country the same year is rare in history. The trips are a reflection of the existing friendship between the two countries.”
According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the President’s visit on the historic occasion is a reflection of the high priority that both countries attach to the bilateral relationship.
“It also reaffirms the shared desire of both countries to further consolidate and strengthen the multifaceted and irreversible partnership, based on historical and cultural ties, mutual trust and understanding,” the Ministry said.
The Indian President will be holding a delegation-level meeting with President Hamid on Wednesday.
Bangladesh President Md Abdul Hamid will host a banquet in his honour to be joined by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Bangabhaban in the evening on Wednesday after talks with his counterpart. A cultural event will also be organised at the Bangabhaban for the visiting dignitary.
On the second day of President Kovind’s visit on Thursday, he will be participating in the golden jubilee of the Victory Day of Bangladesh celebration at the National Parade Ground as the Guest of Honour.
In the afternoon, he will take part in the celebration event ‘Great Victory Heroes’ in the South Plaza of the Parliament building to pay respect to Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation. President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Parliament Speaker and other dignitaries will be attending the event as well.
On the last day of the visit, President Kovind will inaugurate the newly renovated section of Ramna Kali Temple before leaving for India in the afternoon.
Following a short dialogue with the temple committee members there, Kovind will return to Delhi in the afternoon.
UNI
