President Ram Nath Kovind to embark on 3-day visit to Bangladesh today

New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind will embark on a three-day visit to Bangladesh this morning to attend the country's 50th Victory Day celebrations. President Kovind is attending the event at the invitation of his Bangladesh counterpart Md Abdul Hamid. The two countries celebrate 16th of December as Victory Day to commemorate the win over Pakistan and their unconditional surrender to our joint forces in 1971 leading to the liberation of Bangladesh.

Briefing media last evening about the Preident's visit, Foreign Secreatry Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, Mr Kovind will visit the National Martyrs Memorial at Savar this morning to pay tribute to the soldiers of both countries who lost their lives in the Bangladesh Liberation war of 1971.

       

The Foreign Secretary said, later in the day today, President Kovind will hold a delegation-level meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart on various issues of mutual interest. During his visit, Bangladesh Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister of the neighboring country A K Abdul Momen will call on the President.

 

Mr Kovind will attend the Victory day celebrations at the National Parade ground as guest of honour tomorrow. Mr Shringla said,



President Kovind's visit has several significant elements that reflect the strength of India-Bangladesh partnership.

This will be the first foreign visit of the President Ram Nath Kovind since the outbreak coronavirus pandemic and also his first visit to Bangladesh. The visit is highly significant to further strengthen the relationship of both countries as they are celebrating the 50th year of victory of joint forces on Pakistan to liberate Bangladesh.

Both countries are also celebrating the golden jubilee of establishment of their diplomatic ties. 6th of this month has been celebrated as Maitri Diwas to mark their ties, decided to be celebrated during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh in March this year.      

The President will also attend the concluding celebration of birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the parliament of Bangladesh.

Mr Kovind will be the guest of honor and only foreign dignitary invited to jointly commemorate the Bijay Dibos celebrations of Bangladesh which shows the high priority of both countries for each other.