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 in 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 is visiting Bangladesh on his first trip to a foreign country since the outbreak of the coronavirus.
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The prime minister had on Thursday said he will hold substantive discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart during the visit, as he expressed happiness that his first foreign tour after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic will be to a friendly neighbouring country with which India shares deep ties.
"Our partnership with Bangladesh is an important pillar of our Neighbourhood First policy, and we are committed to further deepen and diversify it. We will continue to support Bangladesh's remarkable development journey, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dynamic leadership," Modi tweeted ahead of his visit.
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Modi wrote that he was looking forward to remembering the life and ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and celebrate 50 years of Bangladesh's War of Liberation, as well as our diplomatic ties.
Modi arrived in 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.
A salute of 19 guns and a Guard of honour were accorded to Prime Minister Modi at the airport.
Modi received a warm welcome from members of the Indian diaspora at a hotel in Dhaka. During the first day of his two-day visit to Bangladesh, the Prime Minister greeted the Indian diaspora members with folded hands and some members of the Dawoodi Bohra community adorned him with a shawl.
PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen hold talks in Dhaka. PM Modi is in the neighbouring country on a two-day visit which commenced today.
PM Narendra Modi, with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, arrives at National Parade Ground in Dhaka to take in the National Day programme.
(Inputs from agency)
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