Modi to have ‘substantive discussions’ with PM Hasina during upcoming visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he would be having "substantive discussions" with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka following the "very productive" virtual meeting between them in December last year.

He said he is also looking forward to his meeting with President Abdul Hamid and interactions with other Bangladeshi dignitaries, our New Delhi correspondent reports.

Modi will have talks with Hasina on March 27 and call on President Hamid the same day.

In a departure statement on the eve of his two-day visit to Bangladesh beginning tomorrow, Modi said his 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."

He said he would also express India's support and solidarity for Bangladesh's fight against Covid-19.

The Indian PM said he was 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."

"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," he said. 

Bangabandhu, Modi said, "was one of the tallest leaders of the last century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions."

The PM said he looked forward to visiting Bangabandhu's samadhi in Tungipara "to pay my respects to his memory."

Modi said he is also looking forward to offering prayers to Goddess Kali at the ancient Jashoreshwari Kali Temple, one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in the Puranic tradition, in Satkhira as well as his interaction with representatives of the Matua community at Orakandi, near Tungipara, from where Matua sect founder Sri Harichandra Thakur "disseminated his pious message."