Narendra Modi
FM discusses bilateral, connectivity issues with Modi
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen discussed bilateral and connectivity issues with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, seeking joint efforts for the development of all countries in the region.
Dr Momen said all countries need development and it will not work if all countries do not see the same pace of development.
"It's possible if the leadership remains committed," he told reporters after the meeting at Hotel Sonargaon.
The Foreign Minister also sought effective role from India in the UN Security Council.
"We had a very cordial meeting. He (Modi) is very happy," Dr Momen said, adding that they also discussed COVID-19 cooperation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his Bangladesh visit is an occasion to convey appreciation for Bangladesh’s remarkable economic and developmental strides under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership and to commit India’s abiding support for these achievements.
He expressed India’s support and solidarity for Bangladesh's fight against COVID-19.
Modi said he will be having "substantive discussions" with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following their very productive virtual meeting in December last year.
Also read: Modi arrives in Dhaka to join twin celebrations
The Indian Prime Minister arrived here on Friday morning on a two-day state visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Hasina. This is his first foreign visit after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Modi said he looks forward to visiting Bangabandhu’s Samadhi in Tungipara to pay respects to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's memory.
He had earlier described Bangabandhu as a champion of human rights and freedom, and a hero to Indians as well.
He also said that the legacy and inspiration of Bangabandhu has made the heritage of both countries more comprehensive and deep-rooted, and that the path shown by Bangabandhu has laid a strong foundation for the partnership, progress and prosperity of both countries over the last decade.
Also read: 27 including 2 journalists injured as BCL attacks anti-Modi protesters
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami were present at the meeting.
Modi arrives in Dhaka to join twin celebrations
A red carpet was rolled out at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HISA) on Friday morning as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on a two-day official visit.
The Indian Prime Minister is the fifth among the world leaders after the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan to attend the celebrations of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the country’s independence. It is Modi's first visit outside India since the start of the pandemic.
Also read:Modi to bring 12 lakh more vaccine doses as gift for Bangladesh
During his stay, he is also scheduled to visit the Orakandi temple in Kashiani upazila of Gopalganj, with an eye on wooing the Matua community in view of assembly elections in West Bengal, where they number nearly 30 million and can influence the vote in a number of seats. Orakandi serves as the headquarters of the community.
Modi will also visit the Jessoreswari Devi Temple at Ishwaripur under Shyamnagar in Satkhira district.
The VVIP aircraft carrying the Indian Prime Minister and his entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HISA) at 10:30am.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina welcomed her Indian counterpart at the VVIP tarmac of the airport presenting him a flower bouquet.
The Indian Prime Minister was received by a 19-gun salute, followed by a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force at the airport.
Both the prime ministers witnessed the state honour staying on the makeshift dais while the national anthems of the respective countries were played.
Later, the Indian prime minister also inspected the parade.
Also read:India committed to deepening ties with Bangladesh: Modi
On the occasion, ministers, state ministers, civil and military high officials, among others, were present at the airport.
India’s PM Modi faces big electoral test in Muslim areas
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist party are making a serious bid for electoral victories in three states that have sizeable minority Muslim populations. But the Bharatiya Janata Party has for years been accused of stoking religious polarization and discriminating against minorities, and faces stiff challenges making inroads in the local elections.
Top BJP leaders, including Modi, have been campaigning heavily to win West Bengal and dislodge the state’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, as well as retain power in northeastern Assam and expand the party’s influence in the southern states.
Also read:India committed to deepening ties with Bangladesh: Modi
The BJP has soared in Hindu-dominated regions in central and northern India since Modi was elected in 2014. The upcoming state elections are seen as crucial for the party to gain a foothold in the northeast and south. The prime minister also wants to project the BJP as a national party, replacing a dynastic Congress party that governed India for more than six decades after independence from British rule in 1947.
The run-up to the elections — which begin Saturday and are spread over a month, with results declared May 2 — has been nothing short of dramatic.
In West Bengal, rival groups have attacked each other with sticks and rocks, and even set vehicles on fire. Images of the fiery and determined Banerjee, 66, who’s been addressing massive crowds from a wheelchair after a leg injury, have set the tone for a tough battle.
The elections also come as tens of thousands of farmers have rattled Modi’s government with monthslong protests on the fringes of the capital, New Delhi. And India’s economy, which was battered by the pandemic, is still struggling to emerge out of the crisis — another pivotal challenge for Modi, who came into office partly on promises of economic development. Coronavirus cases are surging steadily nationwide, after dropping earlier this year.
Down south, experts say the BJP’s chances remain low. The party is vying for a third spot in Kerala, currently ruled by a Communist Party-led government. And in legislative elections being held in Tamil Nadu in April, both the BJP and main opposition Congress party have allied with powerful regional parties as junior partners.
Also read:Delhi to bolster defence ties with Dhaka during Modi's visit
But in West Bengal and Assam, the BJP is banking on its strong Hindu nationalist ideology to draw votes. The party is trying to galvanize Hindu support by promising to deport hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims who fled decades ago to neighboring West Bengal and Assam. In 2018, Home Minister Amit Shah described them as “termites” eating into India’s resources.
The BJP also enacted a controversial citizenship law in 2019 that provides a fast track to naturalization for some migrants who entered the country illegally while fleeing religious persecution. But it excludes Muslims, which critics say is discriminatory and a violation of India’s Constitution.
Nationwide, Muslims comprise nearly 14% of the 1.4 billion population, while Hindus make up 80%.
However, across three states that are heading to the polls — Assam, Kerala and West Bengal — Muslims comprise around 30% of the population.
“(The BJP’s) success depends on if it is able to polarize Hindu votes to a huge extent, and get half of the 70% of Hindu votes,” said Subir Bhowmik, a political analyst.
The test for Modi is likely to be the toughest in West Bengal, analysts say, where the political discourse has shifted from issues to personalities.
And despite anti-incumbency fatigue against Banerjee, Modi is facing off against one of the state’s most popular figures in history, experts say. She’s been in power for 10 years after unseating more than three decades of Communist Party rule in the state.
Also read:Modi inaugurates Maitri Setu between India & Bangladesh
In 2016, the BJP made history by winning power in Assam for the first time, ending the Congress party’s 15-year rule there. Observers say the BJP pulled off the win by reiterating its Hindutva message, raising the issue of illegal Muslim immigration from Bangladesh to appeal to Hindu voters.
But this time around, the Congress has teamed up with a key Muslim political party. “This is expected to give a tough fight to the BJP in Assam,” said Akhil Ranjan Dutta, professor of police science at Gauhati University.
“Its best hope remains in breaching West Bengal and consolidating its presence in Assam, its gateway to India’s northeast,” said analyst Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
27 including 2 journalists injured as BCL attacks anti-Modi protesters
Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men on Thursday attacked anti-Modi protesters at the Dhaka University (DU) campus following a torch procession by a group under the banner of Progressive Student Alliance against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Dhaka visit.
The incident took place in front of the university's vice-chancellor's house at around 7:45pm. At least 25 protesters and two journalists were injured during the attack.
Prothom Alo's DU correspondent Asif Hawlader came under attack as he went to the university's VC Chattar to gather news.
"I went there to collect news. Suddenly, 10-15 BCL men attacked me. I lost consciousness as they hit me on the head," Asif said. "They also snatched my bag, Tk3,000 and press card."
Also read: BCL men 'beat up' journalist for covering anti-Modi protest
Earlier at 5:30pm, another journalist, Abid Hasan Rasel of Bangla Tribune, came under attack at TSC while performing his professional duties.
"People of Bangladesh," a citizens' platform, arranged a programme named "Jeyafat" at that time protesting Modi's upcoming visit.
As the protesters were about the start their programme, some BCL leaders and activists beat them up, and snatched their banners, the witnesses said.
Abid was at the spot to cover the programme. The BCL men swooped down on Abid as he started recording the video of the BCL attack on protesters.
Also read: Anti-Modi protest: Chhatra Odhikar Parishad burns Indian PM's effigy
The journalist is now undergoing treatment at Dhaka University Medical Centre.
The Socialists Students' Front DU chapter President Salman Siddique said at least 25 protesters were injured by BCL men.
"We were standing in front of the vice-chancellor's house. Suddenly, BCL activists attacked us with bamboo sticks, stamps and bricks," Salman said.
BCL President Al Nahian Khan Joy could not be reached for comments till the filing of this report.
However, BCL General Secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee said, "The incident is unexpected. We are yet to identify the attackers and will take proper action after finding them."
Also read: 25 injured as BCL swoop on anti-Modi protesters
Earlier, the procession started with 300 protesters from TSC at 6:30pm and ended in front of Ruqayyah Hall.
During the procession, the protesters chanted: "Go back Modi, go back to India," "Butcher of Gujarat, go back to Gujarat," "My name's Felani, Modi's not welcome."
The protesters also demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the BCL activists who carried out an attack on their demonstration on Tuesday, when at least 20 anti-Modi protesters from different left-leaning student bodies and five photojournalists were injured as BCL men carried out an attack on a demonstration against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh visit on March 26.
BCL men 'beat up' journalist for covering anti-Modi protest
Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) men Thursday "attacked" a journalist on the Dhaka University campus as he was covering a protest programme – staged against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bangladesh visit.
The victim was identified as Abid Hasan Russel, the Dhaka University correspondent of Bangla Tribune.
"People of Bangladesh," a citizens' platform, arranged a programme named "Jeyafat" at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) at around 5.30pm.
Also read: Modi visit: Protesters clash with cops at Motijheel; 20 injured
As the protesters were about the start their programme, some BCL leaders and activists beat them up and snatched their banners, the witnesses said.
Abid was at the spot to cover the programme. The BCL men swooped down on Abid as he started recording the video of the BCL attack on protesters.
Also read: Anti-Modi protest: Chhatra Odhikar Parishad burns Indian PM's effigy
The journalist is now undergoing treatment at Dhaka University Medical Centre.
BCL President Al Nahian Khan Joy and General Secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee could not be reached for comments till the filing of this report.
Bangladesh set to celebrate Independence Day Friday
Bangladesh, a newly-emerged developing nation, is all set to celebrate its 50th Independence Day on Friday with remarkable socio-economic progress.
This year’s Independence Day bears more significance as the country is celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Independence alongside the birth centenary celebration of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
A 10-day special programme marking the 50 years of independence and the birth centenary of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that started on March 17 at the National Parade Square will end on Friday.
Indian Prime Minister Modi will join the celebrations.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 3-month high 34 deaths; 3,587 fresh cases
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering also attended the 10-day special programme in person.
Many global leaders, including Queen Elizabeth II, Pope Francis, Chinese President Xi Jinping, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Unesco Director General Audrey Azoulay sent messages, marking the celebrations.
On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh's independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees on the midnight of March 25 by Pakistani occupation forces.
After a nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of three million people and the honour of 200,000 women, Bangladesh finally achieved its independence on December 16, 1971.
Also read: With focus on taking ties to a new height, Modi arrives Friday
The day will begin with a 50 gun-salute which is a public holiday.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages extending heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to the people of the country at home and abroad.
President Abdul Hamid, in his message, said, “On the eve of 'Mujib Barsho' and the Golden Jubilee of our Independence, with the joint efforts of all, may our beloved motherland become a developed country free from hunger and poverty -- this is my expectation on the great Independence Day.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said, “The independence earned through the supreme sacrifices of millions of people is the greatest achievement of Bangalee Nation. To ensure that the achievement remains meaningful, all have to know the true history of our great Liberation War and respect the spirit of independence. The spirit of the Liberation War has to be propagated from generations to generations.”
Also read: Bangladesh celebrates Independence Day with caution
“Let’s vow on this auspicious occasion of the Golden Jubilee of independence- imbued with the spirit of the Great War of Liberation, we all together will build hunger- poverty- and illiteracy-free Golden Bangladesh as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she added.
National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
India committed to deepening ties with Bangladesh: Modi
Expressing happiness that his first foreign tour after the onset of Covid-19 would be to Bangladesh, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said that New Delhi is committed to deepening and diversifying its ties with Dhaka.
"Our partnership with Bangladesh is an important pillar of our Neighbourhood First policy, and we are committed to further deepen and diversify it," Modi tweeted on the eve of his two-day state visit to Dhaka.
"We will continue to support Bangladesh's remarkable development journey, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dynamic leadership," the Indian PM stressed.
Modi will visit Bangladesh on March 26-27 to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of the country's independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Indian PM is also slated to visit Bangabandhu's birthplace.
Also read: Modi lauds Bangladesh’s remarkable growth under Hasina's leadership
"I am happy that my 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," Modi said in a pre-departure statement released by the Indian government.
"I will be having substantive discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following our very productive virtual meeting in December last year. I also look forward to my meeting with His Excellency President Abdul Hamid, and to interactions with other Bangladeshi dignitaries," he said.
Describing Bangabandhu as one of the tallest leaders of the last century, the Indian PM said, "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 Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."
"Bangabandhu was one of the tallest leaders of the last century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions. I look forward to visiting Bangabandhu’s Samadhi in Tungipara to pay my respects to his memory," he added.
Also read: Delhi to bolster defence ties with Dhaka during Modi's visit
Indian Foreign Ministry Wednesday said that Delhi and Dhaka will strengthen bilateral defence and security ties and "are also likely to ink a number of pacts during Prime Minister Modi's visit".
“Both sides will be signing a range of agreements during Modi's visit. These agreements will be covering a number of areas of our cooperation -- disaster management, oceanography and trade," Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla told the media Wednesday.
"A number of new announcements -- bolstering cooperation in areas ranging from health, railway connectivity, border development and start-ups -- are also expected to be made," he had said.
Talks on bolstering defence and security cooperation between the two countries are also on the agenda of Modi's meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to the top Indian diplomat.
Also read: Modi to bring 12 lakh more vaccine doses as gift for Bangladesh
"Security and defence is an important part of our cooperation with Bangladesh. We have in recent years signed an agreement on defence cooperation with Bangladesh and undertaken joint military, training and capacity building exercises on a regular basis," Shringla had said.
India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-kilometre-long international border, the fifth-longest land border in the world. Both countries also share historical, civilisation and cultural ties.
Modi lauds Bangladesh’s remarkable growth under Hasina's leadership
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his Bangladesh visit will be an occasion to convey appreciation for Bangladesh’s remarkable economic and developmental strides under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership.
His visit will also be an occasion to commit India’s abiding support for these achievements.
"My 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," Modi said adding that he will also express India’s support and solidarity for Bangladesh's fight against Covid-19.
In a pre-departure statement, Modi said he will be having "substantive discussions" with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following their very productive virtual meeting in December last year.
Also read: India committed to deepening ties with Bangladesh: Modi
Modi is scheduled to arrive here on Friday morning on a two-day state visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"I am happy that my 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," he said.
The Indian Prime Minister said he looks forward to his participation at the National Day celebrations on Friday, which will also commemorate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
"Bangabandhu was one of the tallest leaders of the last century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions," he said.
Also read: Modi to bring 12 lakh more vaccine doses as gift for Bangladesh
Modi said he looks forward to visiting Bangabandhu’s Samadhi in Tungipara to pay my respects to his memory.
He will be offering prayers to Goddess Kali at the ancient Jashoreshwari Kali Temple, one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in the Puranic tradition, according to the Press Information Bureau of India.
"I am particularly looking forward to my interaction with representatives of the Matua community at Orakandi, from where Sri Sri Harichandra Thakur ji disseminated his pious message," Modi said.
He will meet President Abdul Hamid, and will have interactions with other Bangladeshi dignitaries.
The Indian Prime Minister said Bangabandhu's vision continues to light the Bangladesh-India friendship. "I had the privilege of honouring his memory during my previous Bangladesh visit," he said.
Also read: Delhi to bolster defence ties with Dhaka during Modi's visit
Modi said he will again pay homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, alongside Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during the ongoing Mujib Borsho celebrations.
Earlier, he said Bangabandhu was a champion of human rights and freedom, and is a hero to Indians as well.
He also said the legacy and inspiration of Bangabandhu has made the heritage of both countries more comprehensive and deep-rooted, and that the path shown by Bangabandhu has laid a strong foundation for the partnership, progress and prosperity of both countries over the last decade.
Modi to bring 12 lakh more vaccine doses as gift for Bangladesh
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will bring 12 lakh more Covid-19 vaccine doses as gift during his visit to Bangladesh on Friday.
Also read: Dhaka-Delhi ties to get stronger with Modi's imminent visit:Doraiswami
Director of Non-Communicable Diseases (NDC) under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and Media Cell representative Prof Dr Mohammad Robed Amin told UNB about the vaccine gift.
The Indian Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive here on Friday to attend the twin mega celebrations marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of Bangladesh’s Independence.
Also read: India offers Covid vaccine for Bangladesh army
Another 20 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccine gifted by India reached Dhaka on January 21.
Besides, Bangladesh has signed an agreement with India's Serum Institute for collecting 30 million doses.
As per the deal, the Serum Institute will provide five million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine every month between January and June.
Also read: Bangladesh receives 1st consignment of imported Covid vaccine doses
Modi visit: Protesters clash with cops at Motijheel; 20 injured
At least 20 people, including cops, were injured in a clash between police and activists of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad as the student body staged demonstrations against Indian Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh.
The leaders and activists of the student body brought out a procession from Bijoynagar’s Water Tank point at about 11:30 am and burned the effigy of Modi at Shapla Chattar around 12 pm.
At one stage, police charged batons, and fired teargas shells to disperse the protesters, triggering a chase-and-counter-chase between the protesters and police.
Also read: Anti-Modi protest: Chhatra Odhikar Parishad burns Indian PM's effigy