Happy to go to first foreign visit after onset of Covid-19: Modi before going to Bangladesh

New Delhi, 25 March (HS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that happy that his first foreign visit after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic will be to our friendly neighbouring country, with which India shares deep cultural, linguistic and people-to-people ties.

PM Modi is on two-day visit to Bangladesh on March 26-27 at an invitation of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In his statement one day before leaving for Bangladesh, Prime Minister Modi said, “I look forward to my participation at the National Day celebrations tomorrow, which will also commemorate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.  Bangabandhu was one of the tallest leaders of the last Century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions.  I look forward to visiting Bangabandhu’s Samadhi in Tungipara to pay my respects to his memory.”

He further said, “I also look forward to offering prayers to Goddess Kali at the ancient Jashoreshwari Kali Temple, one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in the Puranic tradition.”

Modi said, “I am particularly looking forward to my interaction with representatives of the Matua community at Orakandi, from where Sri Sri Harichandra Thakur ji disseminated his pious message,” adding, “I will be having substantive discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following our very productive virtual meeting in December last year. I also look forward to my meeting with His Excellency President Abdul Hamid, and to interactions with other Bangladeshi dignitaries.”

The Prime Minister said, “My visit will not only be an occasion to convey appreciation for Bangladesh’s remarkable economic and developmental strides under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership, but also to commit India’s abiding support for these achievements.  I will also express India’s support and solidarity for Bangladesh’s fight against COVID-19.”