High-Profile Visits in March: Dhaka to ink flurry of deals with neighbours
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen yesterday said many agreements and MoUs would be signed with a number of countries during the visits of their heads of state and government, including that of India, this month.
Many foreign leaders are expected to arrive in Dhaka marking the celebrations of 50 years of Bangladesh's independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The minister said this while replying to a question from a reporter at the foreign ministry.
"The Teesta deal was signed 10 years ago, but it was not implemented. The most important thing is that the Indian prime minister, leader of the world's biggest democracy and our biggest neighbour, will visit Bangladesh. It's a matter of pleasure. Four other Southeast Asian leaders will also be here… It will be a big festival," he said.
Usually, discussions are held during the visits of heads of state or government, and secretary-level discussions are held with India every day on various critical issues, including water, commerce and border killing, said Momen in response to another question regarding the upcoming visits of the foreign leaders.
"During the meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina might raise some issues which have already been discussed or settled so that those continue and get implemented."
Talking about Rohingyas stranded in the Andaman Sea, the foreign minister said there was no logic that Bangladesh would bring them back as they were found 1,700 kms off Bangladesh's maritime territory and the ship in which they got stuck was a Thai vessel.
A 10-day special programme will kick off at the city's National Parade Square ground on March 17, marking Bangabandhu's birth centenary and the Golden Jubilee of Independence.
About health protocols of the programmes, Momen said the events will be arranged maintaining all precautions as local and foreign guests will take part in those.
Among the programmes, theme-based discussions and cultural events will be held, and audio-visual and other presentations will be screened to pay tributes to Bangabandhu every day.
President Abdul Hamid will be present at the programme on March 17, 22 and 26, while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on March 17, 19, 22, 24 and 26.
Heads of state and governments of different countries will be present as guests of honour at the programmes on March 17, 19, 22, 24 and 26.
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will be present at the programme as the guest of honour on March 17, while Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 19, Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari on March 22, Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering on March 24 and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 26.
Besides, recorded speeches from heads of state and governments of different countries, chiefs of international organisations and eminent personalities will be screened during the events.
Television channels, online media and social media will broadcast the programmes live every day.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will deliver welcome speeches at the programme on March 17, while Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on March 18, OIC Secretary General Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen on March 20, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on March 22, Pope Francis on March 24, South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Japanese friend of Bangladesh Takashi Hayakawa's son Osamu Hayakawa on March 25.
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