Dhaka: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the National Martyr’s memorial at Savar here and paid homage to those who died in the 1971 Bangladesh War of Independence.
On reaching the memorial, Modi also planted a sapling of the Arjuna tree there.
“This sapling has been planted as a mark of respect for the valorous martyrs of Bangladesh,” the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted.
After planting the sapling, Modi paid homage to the martyrs at the memorial, comprising seven pairs of triangular-shaped walls — each representing a significant chapter in Bangladesh’s history, including the 1952 ‘Bhasha Andolan’ (Language Movement) — through which Bangladesh became an independent nation from Pakistan.
Sharing a picture of Modi laying a wreath at the memorial, the Ministry of External Affairs tweeted, “Prime Minister @narendramodi paying solemn tribute at the National Martyr’s Memorial to the brave-hearts of the Liberation War of Bangladesh, for their great sacrifices.”
The prime minister also signed the visitor’s book at the memorial.
Modi arrived Dhaka on a two-day visit during which he will attend the celebrations of the golden jubilee of the country’s independence, the birth centenary of Bangabandhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and hold talks with his counterpart Sheikh Hasina.
Modi, who is visiting Bangladesh on his first trip to a foreign country since the outbreak of the coronavirus, was received by Prime Minister Hasina at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his arrival.
He received a guard of honour at the airport.
Also read: Delhi, Dhaka working on economic partnership for trade in goods, services: Bangladesh envoy
PM Modi uses new VVIP aircraft for first time on foreign tour
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 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.
These two aircraft were part of Air India’s commercial fleet for a few months in 2018 before they were sent back to Boeing for retrofitting for VVIP travel.
The B777 planes have state-of-the-art missile defence systems called Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures and Self-Protection Suites.
Also read: PM Modi arrives for 2-day visit in Bangladesh on his first foreign trip since Covid outbreak