HIGHLIGHTS: First day of PM Modi's historic visit to Bangladesh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bangladesh. Photograph: (WION)
<p>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.</p>Key Updates
26 Mar 2021, 6:00 PM (IST)
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.”
26 Mar 2021, 4:08 PM (IST)
26 Mar 2021, 2:57 PM (IST)
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.
26 Mar 2021, 2:49 PM (IST)
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.
26 Mar 2021, 12:37 PM (IST)
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.
26 Mar 2021, 11:32 AM (IST)
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.
26 Mar 2021, 10:13 AM (IST)
Happy my first foreign visit after COVID onset is to friendly neighbour Bangladesh: PM Modi
Modi said he will be visiting Bangladesh on March 26-27 at the invitation of Prime Minister Hasina, and looks forward to his participation at the Bangladesh National Day celebrations on Friday.
26 Mar 2021, 10:12 AM (IST)
Two national Anthems, one author: The India-Bangladesh Tagore connection
As Bangladesh marks 50 years of independence, the two countries rejoice about the shared love and gratitude for the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
26 Mar 2021, 10:09 AM (IST)
Bangla: The language at the heart of Bangladesh independence movement
February 21 is celebrated the world over as International Mother Language Day. Chosen by UNESCO in 1999 as the day to honour mother tongues and linguistics across the world, February 21 is a historic day for Bangladesh, with a story stained in blood.
26 Mar 2021, 10:06 AM (IST)
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."
26 Mar 2021, 9:46 (IST)