Dhaka: Bangladesh is all set to roll out a red carpet welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will arrive here tomorrow on his maiden visit to the country, amid expectations on both sides to take bilateral ties to a new level and unleash the?potential?of economic and trade ties.
Ahead of Modi’s two-day visit, the capital city Dhaka is having a festive look with streets adorned with life-size cutouts of Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Banerjee will arrive here tonight and will take part in the flag off ceremony of Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala bus service and signing of the LBA agreement.
Large cutouts of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rehman and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi were also seen on the streets as a token of an age old relationship between both the two countries and India’s role in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
“We are really overwhelmed by Prime Minister Modi’s visit. We believe that the signing of LBA and Kolkata-Dhaka- Agartala bus service will open new avenues and strengthen the bilateral ties,” Awami League MP Md Monirul Islam told PTI.
Islam said strong bilateral ties will also help in fighting the menace of terrorism and fundamentalism.
“We can never forget the role that India had played during our liberation war. We, the Awami League government, always want friendly relations with the Indian government.
India is the biggest friend of Bangladesh. The Friendship between Narendra Modi government and Sheikh Hasina Government along with our Mamatdi will help us to evolve as power,” another Awami League MP Sk Afil Udin said.
Writer and noted social activist Shariyar Kabir said, “It is not only a historic day for Bangladesh but also a milestone in Indo-Bangla relations. Both the countries especially two Bengals don’t have any difference in culture, language and heritage. We are happy that this long standing issue of LBA is being solved.” .
PTI
