The visit will highlight the significance of unique and special ties between the two countries

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina, India and Bangladesh have made remarkable progress in all areas, fully justifying this as the ‘Sonali Adhyay’ or Golden chapter in the two countries’ relationship, said Indian Foreign Secretary, Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Wednesday ahead of the Prime Minister visit to Dhaka on March 26-27.

“Our relationship with Bangladesh has attained historic heights with strong political and people to people ties. This has facilitated a partnership marked by conversations and discussions in candor, friendship and comfort,” the Foreign Secretary said.

“The Prime Minister’s visit should not be seen in quantitative terms, it is a qualitative visit focused on shared history, shared cultural and people to people contact on which this relationship is based for the last 50 years,” he added.

“The visit comes at a momentous time in our bilateral ties- Bangladesh is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Liberation war. India had provided full support to this noble cause for which Indian soldiers had also sacrificed their life,” he explained.

Foreign Secretary, Shringla recounted that both countries are also celebrating the 50th year of diplomatic ties this year. India was the first country to recognize Bangladesh on December 6, 1971. This is also the year for the commemoration of the 100th Birth Anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he added.

“This is the first visit of the Prime Minister after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. This highlights the significance that India attaches to its ties with Bangladesh,” he remarked.

Revealing the itinerary of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bangladesh, Shringla said that the Prime Minister will join Bangladesh’s Freedom Day celebrations on March 26 and deliver an address on the occasion at the National Parade Ground in Dhaka.

During the two-day programme the Indian Prime Minister will call on Bangladesh President, Md. Abdul Hamid, he informed.

Prime Minister Modi will also hold restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Dr. A.K. Momen, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh will call on the Prime Minister, Shringla added.

The Prime Minister will also interact with diverse groups of Bangladesh’s polity and society, including representatives of 14-party alliance group, the opposition party in the Bangladesh Parliament, Mukti Joddhas i.e. the freedom fighters, community leaders and icons of Bangladesh, he stated.

On the first day of the visit, the Prime Minister will pay a visit to the National Martyr’s Memorial Monument in Savar and both Prime Ministers will inaugurate the Bangabandhu-Bapu exhibition in Dhaka that will showcase the life and legacy of these two great leaders.

Considering the significance of the historic ‘Mujib Borsho’, Prime Minister will visit the Bangabundhu Musolem Museum complex at Tungipara in Gopalgunj district of Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Modi will be the first Indian dignitary to visit Tungipara which is the family home of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Prime Minister will also visit sites of cultural importance in Satkhira, Orakhandi. A decision has been taken at the highest levels to jointly commemorate ‘Mujib Borsho’, he noted.

The visit will be of special significance and will serve to highlight the significance of unique and special ties between the two countries.