Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Pays Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Rajghat in New Delhi on Friday morning to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. She laid floral wreaths at the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was laid to rest. After paying her tribute, PM Hasina was gifted a book and a bust of Mahatma Gandhi.

Earlier in the day, she received a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders, along with ministers and delegates from both countries, met at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister JP Nadda, and Ministers of State Jitendra Singh and Kirti Vardhan Singh were also present to welcome the Bangladesh PM.

PM Hasina is in India on a State visit from June 21 to 22 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit is expected to give a major boost to India-Bangladesh ties. Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, emphasized the importance of this visit in a social media post, stating that Bangladesh is a key partner and trusted neighbor of India.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had called on the Bangladesh PM the previous day, highlighting the close and abiding ties between the two countries. He appreciated her guidance on further developing the special partnership between India and Bangladesh.

Newly-appointed External Affairs Minister of State Kirtivardhan Singh welcomed PM Hasina at the airport upon her arrival. This visit marks the first incoming bilateral State Visit after the formation of the government in India following the 18th Lok Sabha elections. During her visit, PM Hasina is scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was also among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9.