Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for a two-day historic visit to Bangladesh.
"Leaving for Bangladesh. This visit is going to strengthen the bond between our Nations, benefitting people of our countries and our region," Modi tweeted before leaving New Delhi on Saturday morning.
He is expected to land Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 10am.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will receive the Indian premier at the airport. He will be taken to Savar National Memorial Monument from the airport and will then visit Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.
Modi will meet with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at his place of residence before the beginning of official talks.
The prime ministers of Bangladesh and India will have a tete-a-tete prior to official talks, which will begin in the afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office. Modi will also attend a state banquet where he will be served vegetarian dishes.
He will visit Dhakeshwari Temple, Ramakrishna Mission and the new Indian chancery complex tomorrow.
He will receive the Friends of Bangladesh Liberation War Award bestowed on former Indian prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for the latter’s role in the Bangladesh Liberation War from President Abdul Hamid. Modi will then attend a lunch hosted by the president.
BNP Chief Khaleda Zia and leader of the opposition Rawshan Ershad will meet Modi at his place of residence in the afternoon.
He is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the evening.