HIGHLIGHTS: First day of PM Modi's historic visit to Bangladesh

PM Modi attends the inaugural programme of Bangabandhu- Bapu Museum at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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.”

PM Modi wears a 'Mujib Jacket' as he pays tribute to Bangladesh's Father of the Nation.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accorded Guard of Honour at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (ANI Photo)

'From bottomless basket to vibrant economy': Bangladesh is far ahead of Pakistan in development indicators

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.

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.

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.
 

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.
 

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)

Also read: PM Modi leaves for Bangladesh for a two-day visit
 

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.