PM accorded red carpet reception in Goa

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was accorded a red carpet reception as she arrived in Goa of India this morning to join BRICS-BIMSTEC Leaders' Outreach Summit.

The two-day summit kicked off in the Indian southwest state on Saturday with the theme 'BRICS-BIMSTEC: A Partnership in Opportunities'.

A VVIP flight of Bangladesh Biman carrying the prime minister and her entourage members landed at Goa Naval Base Airport at 10:15am (Indian time).

Indian State Minister for External Affairs MJ Akbar, Minister for Science and Technology of Goa Alina Saldanha, Secretary (coordination) of the government of Goa Padma Jaiswal, Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi Syed Moazzem Ali and Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Mumbai Samina Naz received the prime minister at the airport.

After arrival at the airport, the Bangladesh premier was given a static guard of honour by members Indian Armed Forces while artistes displayed local cultural activities in her honour.

Later, the premier, in a ceremonial motorcade, was escorted to Hotel The Leela Goa, where she will be staying during her visit.

The Bangladesh premier will attend BIMSTEC Leaders' Retreat and BRICS-BIMSTEC Leaders' Outreach Summit this afternoon.

On the sidelines of the summit, the prime minister will hold a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tonight.

The bilateral meeting is likely to last for 30 minutes from 9:00pm to 9:30pm tonight that will cover a whole range of bilateral issues, said an official.

Heads of states and governments of other Bimstec countries will also attend the Outreach Summit.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, PM's Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad and Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, among others, are accompanying her as her entourage.

Earlier on Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the first-ever Bimstec outreach meeting with its leaders will be a significant event and hoped that it will yield dividends for all.

"The outreach with Bimstec leaders is significant. We hope to tap the huge potential for cooperation and the dividends this will bring," he tweeted.

The Bangladesh prime minister will also attend a lunch to be hosted by Goa Chief Minister Lakshmikant Parsekar at Jamawar Terrace.

The retreat meeting of the Bimstec leaders will be held at 3:45pm to 4:30pm.

Sheikh Hasina will return home at 10:45am on Monday.