Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tributes at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar, setting off his two-day official visit to Bangladesh.
Modi placed a wreath at the memorial and wrote in the Visitors' Book there that "Their valour will continue to inspire future generations to fight injustice and defend the cause of righteousness."
He also planted an Arjuna tree sapling at the memorial as a mark of respect for the martyrs.
On the 50th Independence Day of Bangladesh, PM @narendramodi paid tributes at the National Martyr's Memorial in Savar.
The courage of those who took part in the Liberation War of Bangladesh motivates many. pic.twitter.com/q7bZwATNHt
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 26, 2021
India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a twitter post said: "@narendramodi paying solemn tribute at the National Martyr's Memorial to the brave-hearts of the Liberation War of Bangladesh for their great sacrifices" and posted a photo of the event.
This was the Indian PM's first official engagement soon after reaching Dhaka by a special plane, reports our New Delhi correspondent.
Earlier Modi, on his arrival in Dhaka, took to Twitter to say in Bangla:
"ঢাকা পৌঁছলাম। বিমানবন্দরে বিশেষ অভ্যর্থনা জানানোর জন্য প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনাকে ধন্যবাদ। এই সফর আমাদের দ্বিপক্ষীয় সম্পর্ক আরও দৃঢ় করার ক্ষেত্রে অবদান রাখবে।"
India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took to his Twitter handle to describe Modi's op-ed article in The Daily Star today as "thought-provoking."
"A thought-provoking article by Prime Minister @narendramodi. And his shared vision with PM Sheikh Hasina provides the answer," he tweeted.
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