HIGHLIGHTS: First day of PM Modi's historic visit to Bangladesh
Story highlights
PM Modi is in Bangladesh on March 26-27 to attend the celebration of that country's 50th year of liberation from Pakistan and the centenary year of its founder Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, Premier Sheikh Hasina's father. The two countries are also celebrating 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
PM Modi attends the inaugural programme of Bangabandhu- Bapu Museum at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
#Bangladesh50 | "The atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army disturbed all of us internally and moved us," says Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi in Dhaka#BangladeshAt50 pic.twitter.com/fJ1K6NqHMT
— WION (@WIONews) March 26, 2021
Also read: Indian PM Narendra Modi recounts his ‘Satyagraha’ for Bangladesh liberation
He said, “I would like to remind brothers and sisters in Bangladesh with pride, being involved in the struggle for independence of Bangladesh was one of the first movements of my life. I must have been 20-22 years old when I &my colleagues did Satyagraha for Bangladesh's freedom.”
On the occasion of 50 years of 🇮🇳India 🇧🇩Bangladesh relations, I want to invite 50 entrepreneurs from Bangladesh to come to India. We will also learn from them and they will also get an opportunity to learn from us: PM @narendramodi at National Day programme of #Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/MvZXXlbhe0
— PIB India (@PIB_India) March 26, 2021
#Bangladesh50 | "I must have been 20-22 years old when I, along with many of my colleagues, had done 'Satyagraha' for the freedom of Bangladesh. Being involved in the struggle for Bangladesh's independence was one of the first movements of my life," says PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/zjYfdEfZIa
— WION (@WIONews) March 26, 2021
Today I also salute the brave soldiers of the Indian Army who stood with brothers and sisters of Bangladesh in 'Muktijuddho'. I am happy that many Indian soldiers who participated in the Bangladesh Liberation War are present at this event today, saysPM Narendra Modi in Dhaka.
It is a matter of pride for Indians that we got the opportunity to honour Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with Gandhi Peace Prize, says PM Narendra Modi in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Operation Searchlight and its violations haven't been discussed enough on global platforms. During this struggle, Bangabandhu was the ray of hope.His resilience and leadership had decided that no force would be able to stop the freedom of Bangladesh, says PM Modi.
PM Modi quotes Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his speech. He recalls, "On 6 December 1971, Atal Ji had said -We aren't just fighting with people who're laying down their lives in the Liberation War, but we are also trying to give a new direction to history."
PM Modi wears a 'Mujib Jacket' as he pays tribute to Bangladesh's Father of the Nation.
"The atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army disturbed all of us internally and moved us," says Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Dhaka.
Watch live:
#LIVE | Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi addresses 50th anniversary of Bangladesh independence#Bangladesh #Bangladesh50 #ModiInBangladesh #BangladeshAt50 https://t.co/VvUGlYGZF3
— WION (@WIONews) March 26, 2021
PM Narendra Modi, with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, arrives at National Parade Ground in Dhaka to take in National Day programme. pic.twitter.com/H5a3XiMmGw
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2021
PM Modi will attend celebratory events at the National Parade Ground as Guest of Honour where he is slated to deliver a speech.
Hasina will preside over the event while President Md Abdul Hamid will attend as chief guest.
A family member of Father of the Nation will also speak on the occasion.
Former #Bangladesh skipper lauded PM @narendramodi's leadership and hoped that ties between the two countries "get better day by day."#Bangladesh50 #BangladeshAt50 #ModiInBangladeshhttps://t.co/OitEZx58f9
— WION (@WIONews) March 26, 2021
Bangladesh visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi uses new VVIP aircraft for 1st time on foreign trip
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday went from Delhi to Dhaka on a new custom-made VVIP aircraft, using it for the first time on a foreign journey.
The prime minister is on a two-day visit to Bangladesh.
India and Bangladesh are currently celebrating the golden jubilee of the 1971 war victory. India had defeated Pakistan in December 1971, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.
The B777 aircraft, which has registration number VT-ALW, was delivered by Boeing to the Indian government in October last year.
The aircraft, which has call sign AI1 or Air India One, departed from Delhi around 8 am and landed at the Dhaka airport around 10.30 am on Friday, government officials said.
Another custom-made B777 aircraft, with registration number VT-ALV, was also delivered by the American aircraft giant to the Indian government in October last year. Both custom-made planes are to fly only president, vice president and prime minister of the country.
Bangladesh's Dawoodi Bohra community welcomes PM Modi
The Dawoodi Bohra community in Bangladesh welcomed PM Modi in Dhaka today.
Dawoodi Bohra community in Bangladesh welcomed PM Modi in Dhaka today
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2021
"PM Modi upon his arrival here met us. We requested him to enable the visit of Syedna sahib to Bangladesh," said the Bangladesh representative of the spiritual head of Dawoodi Bohra community pic.twitter.com/lZ2UQUeziG
Also read: When India-Bangladesh diplomacy took the saree route
The 'saree diplomacy' bears a deeper significance for India and Bangladesh, for it established the contribution of women into strengthening of diplomatic relations besides cementing bilateral ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met 'Muktijodhas', the liberation war fighters of Bangladesh, in Dhaka today pic.twitter.com/avBVi9oLhV
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2021
Dhaka: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets the young achievers of Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/4Wi5KgcONS
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2021
Prime Minister @narendramodi meets Dawoodi Bohra community members in #Dhaka.
— WION (@WIONews) March 26, 2021
Follow for live updates: https://t.co/TKX5QrTnlM#Bangladesh50 #BangladeshAt50 pic.twitter.com/Q431qZRVzp
#Watch | #Bangladesh's Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen has expressed his delight that 'PM of the Biggest Democracy' is taking part in the country's 50th Independence anniversary celebration#Bangladesh50 #ModiInBangladesh @sidhant https://t.co/lqSxL2d8ya
— WION (@WIONews) March 26, 2021
"Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi will be gifting #Bangladesh 1.2 million doses of made in India #COVID vaccine:" @sidhant @SaroyaHem #Bangladesh50 pic.twitter.com/dkSm76NrcT
— WION (@WIONews) March 26, 2021
🇮🇳🇧🇩
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) March 26, 2021
Engaging the Bangladeshi political leadership across the spectrum!
PM @narendramodi meets political leaders from 14 Party Alliance along with convener.
Discussions centred on diverse issues of our bilateral relations. pic.twitter.com/BP00Quoc6j
Watch: Hindus positively influence Bangladesh's important areas
Watch: Bangladesh liberation war — Untold stories
“Their valour will continue to inspire future generations to fight injustice and defend the cause of righteousness”, PM Narendra Modi writes his message in visitor's book at National Martyr’s Memorial in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Picture courtesy: PIB India)
Also read | Pakistanis addressed us as servants: A Bangladesh war veteran remembers
Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Quazi Sazzad Ali Zahir is a Mujti jodhas, or Mukti Bahini war veteran, in the Bangladesh Liberation War. Bangladesh government awarded him the title of Bir Protik for his bravery in the war and India honoured him its fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, in 2021.
#BREAKING | PM @narendramodi to gift 1.2 million doses of #Covid vaccines to #Bangladesh today
— WION (@WIONews) March 26, 2021
(Source: @sidhant) pic.twitter.com/WcVwGmVbSO
Bangladeshi newspapers today carried the news on visit of Indian PM Modi prominently. (Picture courtesy: Sidhant Sibal)
Bangladeshi newspapers today carried the news on visit of Indian PM Modi prominently. (Picture courtesy: Sidhant Sibal)
Bangladeshi newspapers today carried the news on visit of Indian PM Modi prominently. (Picture courtesy: Sidhant Sibal)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi signs the visitors' book at National Martyrs' Memorial in Dhaka. (ANI Photo)
Bangladesh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi plants a sapling at National Martyrs' Memorial in Dhaka. pic.twitter.com/CSmeICexb2
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2021
Security around the areas wr Indian PM will be visiting in Dhaka. pic.twitter.com/TM7wgXfOwN
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 26, 2021
LIVE | Prime Minister @narendramodi commences his 2 days #Bangladesh visit.
— WION (@WIONews) March 26, 2021
Tune in to watch live: https://t.co/iSR65rv97J https://t.co/xMBWL0WuCX
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his host, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, visit a martyr’s memorial in Savar for a wreath-laying ceremony as Bangladeshi celebrates 50 years of its independence on Friday within events being held to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties and the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
PM @narendramodi arrives in Dhaka, #Bangladesh
— WION (@WIONews) March 26, 2021
"This visit is largely about symbolism, a symbolism about how both the countries (India and Bangladesh) have so much in common. It is an organic relationship," says WION's @sidhant @SaroyaHem #BangladeshAt50 #Bangladesh50 pic.twitter.com/U3uhJSpbvm
"Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi will be going to the Martyrs Memorial, where he will make a short speech…he is expected to pay homage to the Bangladeshi soldiers," @sidhant tells @SaroyaHem#BangladeshAt50 #Bangladesh50 pic.twitter.com/zDX4d7y0v8
— WION (@WIONews) March 26, 2021
Indian PM Narendra Modi is visiting Bangladesh to mark three major events
- Mujib Borsho, the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
- 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh
- 50 years of Bangladesh's war of liberation
LIVE | Prime Minister @narendramodi reaches Dhaka Airport for his 2-day visit.#BangladeshAt50 #Bangladesh50 https://t.co/uL21ltCGcY
— WION (@WIONews) March 26, 2021
Prime Minister Narendra Modi accorded Guard of Honour at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (ANI Photo)
#WATCH: PM Narendra Modi received by PM of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina as he arrives in Dhaka on a two-day visit to the country. pic.twitter.com/oSC0f9prV8
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2021
Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina receives PM Narendra Modi. Visuals from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. pic.twitter.com/koCCXly5PV
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2021
Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina arrives at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka to receive PM Narendra Modi as he commences his two-day visit to the country. pic.twitter.com/rd7ob0tcIv
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2021
LIVE | Prime Minister @narendramodi reaches Dhaka Airport for his 2-day visit.#BangladeshAt50 #Bangladesh50 https://t.co/uL21ltCGcY
— WION (@WIONews) March 26, 2021
The 1971 India-Pakistan war was a military confrontation that led to the birth of a new country in South Asia, Bangladesh.And after emerging as an independent nation, Bangladesh was in economic turmoil, wracked by poverty and famine, for several years.
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Also read: Delighted that PM of biggest democracy is joining our independence celebration — Bangladesh FM
Bangladesh's Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen has expressed his delight that "PM of the biggest democracy" is taking part in the country's 50th independence anniversary celebration. Speaking exclusively to our Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Momen said,"Our relationship with India was rock solid."
Bangladesh celebrates 50 years of its Independence and National Day today coinciding with the grand celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. (Picture courtesy: Sidhant Sibal)
The 10-day grand celebration will end today following the celebration of Independence and National Day with the attendance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in person as the guest of honour. (Picture courtesy: Sidhant Sibal)
The prime minister had on Thursday said he will hold substantive discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Sheikh Hasina, during the visit, as he expressed happiness that his first foreign tour after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic will be to a friendly neighbouring country with which India shares deep ties.