Indian Prime Minister Modi in Bangladesh on maiden state visit

A red carpet has been rolled out for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has arrived in Dhaka on a two-day state visit, his first to Bangladesh after assuming power.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina welcomed him near the VVIP Tarmac of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after the special air force flight ‘Rajdoot’ touched down at 10:08am on Saturday.

A child presented him a bouquet.

Accompanied by Bangladesh Prime MInister Sheikh Hasina , Modi proceeded towards the makeshift "Saluting Dais".

A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force gave a guard of honour and state salute to Modi.

"Leaving for Bangladesh. This visit is going to strengthen the bond between our nations, benefitting people of our countries and our region," Modi tweeted before leaving for Dhaka.

India’s Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar has termed the visit ‘historic’ and said it will “completely settle boundary with Bangladesh”.

“We have solved many issues and our relations have reached to a historic height,” Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali has said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waving while getting off the Indian Air Force aircraft at Dhaka on Saturday. Photo: mustafiz mamun

Narendra Modi carrying a bouquet presented by a child at the airport in Dhaka. The Indian prime minister was accompanied by his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina. Photo: mustafiz mamun

Apart from Ali, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Health Minister Mohammed Nasim, and State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal were among other top officials at the airport.

Prime Minister Hasina introduced them to Modi. The Indian prime minister also introduced his entourage members to Sheikh Hasina.

A 19-gun salute heralded the arrival of the Indian Prime Minister when he alighted from the Indian air force jet at 10.25 am.

The two heads of the governments acknowledged the salute and inspected the guard of honour.

The national anthems of the two countries were played on the occasion.

Modi is now driving straight to the National Memorial at Savar to pay his respects to the martyrs of Bangladesh’s Liberation War against Pakistan.

He will visit Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 to pay homage to the Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the airport in Dhaka on Saturday. Photo: mustafiz mamun

Visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina greet everyone at the airport in Dhaka on Saturday. Photo: mustafiz mamun

Modi's delegation will stay at Pan Pacific Sonargoan Dhaka Hotel during the visit.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who came on Friday night, will meet him at the hotel at about 3:15pm.

Modi will then leave for the Prime Minister’s Office for discussions with Hasina at about 4:15pm.

Both leaders will witness the exchange of instrument of ratification of Land Boundary Agreement, and signing of MoUs, agreements and exchanges of different documents.

Hasina will host a dinner on Saturday night at the hotel.

On Sunday morning, the Indian leader will begin the day with prayers at Dhakeshwari National Temple at 8:45am. Then he will visit the Ramkrishna Mission.

After 10am, he will come to the Indian High Commission’s New Chancery Complex at Baridhara to attend High Commission’s programmes.

Then he will go back to his hotel before leaving for Bangabhaban to meet President Md Abdul Hamid.

He will receive the Award of Liberation War Honour on behalf of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and attend a private lunch hosted by the president.

Leader of the Opposition Raushon Ershad will call on him at his hotel suite at about 3:10pm, before he delivers a public speech at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at 6:30pm.

However, sources said some political leaders including BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will also call on Modi before his public speech.

But the meetings have not yet been included in his official itinerary.

He has a free slot between 3:30pm and 6:20pm, according to the tentative schedule.

He will leave Dhaka at about 8:10pm on Sunday and will be seen off by Prime Minister Hasina at the VVIP Tarmac.

Modi earlier said his visit would focus on trade and connectivity and be beneficial for the people of the both countries.