POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Dec 15, 2021 : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has paid a courtesy call on visiting Indian President Ramnath Kobind. As per the pre-arranged schedule, the Prime Minister’s convoy entered Hotel Sonargaon in the capital at 4.30 pm on Wednesday (December 15). There, the Prime Minister paid a courtesy call on the President of India. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said in the briefing that issues of mutual interest including energy were discussed during the meeting.
Earlier, the President of India paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar at around 1:15 pm. He stood there in silence for a while. He later signed the visitor’s book and planted the last sapling. He then paid homage to the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi No. 32.
On social media, Indian diplomat Arindam Bagchi said on Twitter that the President of India had written in the visitor’s book, “Let the consciousness of those who sacrificed their lives in the war of liberation continue in our thoughts and deeds.”
Besides Ramnath Kobind and his wife Indian First Lady Sabita Kobind and their daughter Swati Kobind, Liberation War Minister AKM Mozammel Haque and Agriculture Minister Dr. Abdur Razzak.
The Indian President arrived in Dhaka at 11:20 a.m. on Wednesday on a three-day visit to take part in a special event to mark the golden jubilee of Mujib’s centenary and the victory of Bengalis in the war of liberation.
After landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, a special flight of Indian Airlines carrying him and his entourage was received by the President of the neighboring country and First Lady Sabita Kobind. Abdul Hamid and First Lady Rashida Khanam.
Although it is customary to greet a foreign government or head of state with flowers, it has not been due to the coronavirus epidemic, nor has there been a handshake between the two heads of state. However, Ramnath Kobind was greeted with 21 rounds of artillery fire at the airport’s VVIP terminal. A well-equipped contingent of three forces gave the Guard of Honor. A red carpet reception was given. During the visit, President Abdul Hamid introduced the line of presentation to the President of India.
Ramnath Kobind will be accompanied by First Lady of India Sabita Kobind and their daughter Swati Kobind, the Minister of Education of India, two Members of Parliament and a number of senior officials including Indian Foreign Secretary Harshvardhan Sringla.
In the evening, the President said. The President of India will have a meeting with Abdul Hamid. There will also be discussions on various issues of mutual interest. Later, President and Prime Minister of India Sheikh Hasina will attend a dinner hosted by the President at Bangabhaban.
According to a visiting official, the Indian President will present to the President of Bangladesh two replicas used in the 1971 war, Russian-made T-55 tanks and MiG-21 vintage aircraft. The President of India will enjoy a cultural program at Bangabhaban.
On the second day of the visit, the President of India will join the National Parade Ground on 16 December as the ‘Distinguished Guest’ on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh Victory Day.
In the afternoon, Ramnath Kobind will take part in a program titled ‘Great Victory Hero’ to pay homage to the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh and celebrate the victory at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
President on the occasion. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Speaker of the National Assembly and other dignitaries will be present.
On the third day of the visit, the President of India will inaugurate and inspect the newly renovated section of the Ramna Kali Temple on December 16. The President of India is scheduled to leave Dhaka for New Delhi on the afternoon of 16 December.
