Dhaka, Dec 11 (bdnews24.com) – Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has informed the government that Bangladesh would be the first country he would visit as the head of state, says State Minister for Liberation War Affairs A B Tajul Islam.
“As the Indian President, Mukherjee is yet to visit any foreign country, and he informed us that Bangladesh would be the first country he would visit,” he said at a joint press briefing at the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
Bangladesh has already invited the President to visit Bangladesh to receive the foreign friend honour.
“We informed him that the government is ready to honour him and he would be honoured alone probably at the Bangabhaban,” he said.
Former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was also honoured alone at the Bangabhaban on July 25 last year when her daughter-in-law and Congress party President Sonia Gandhi received the honour on behalf of the late leader.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said the government would honour 65 foreign friends on Dec 15.
Earlier, on Mar 27 and Oct 20 this year, the government honoured about 140 foreign friends.
Dipu Moni said the government had invited all parliament members, leaders of political parties and freedom fighters to join the ceremony.
Source: Bd News24
