DHAKA, March 17, 2021 (BSS) – The red carpet was rolled out as Maldives
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih arrived here this morning on a three-day
official visit.
The Maldivian President became the first among the world leaders to attend
the celebrations of the golden jubilee of country’s independence and the
birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“The VVIP aircraft (EK-582) of Emirates Airlines, carrying the Maldivian
President along with his wife Fazna Ahmed and other entourage members, landed
at Hazrat Shahjalal (R) International Airport (HISA) at 8.20 am,” President’s
Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told BSS.
President M Abdul Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanam received the Maldivian
President at the airport, he added.
Meanwhile, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both the Presidents and their
respective delegation members maintained health rules on the occasion.
The Maldivian President was given an honour guard by a smartly turned out
contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force at the airport.
Bangladesh President and his Maldivian counterpart enjoyed the state honour
staying on the makeshift dais while the national anthem of the respective
states was played.
Later, the state guest also inspected the parade.
On the occasion, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Local Government and
Rural Development Minister Tajul Islam, Environment, Forest and Climate
Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs
Minister Anisul Huq and Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, among others, were
present at the airport.
Cabinet secretary, chiefs of the three services, principal secretary to the
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and secretaries concerned to the President’s
office were also present.
From the airport, the visiting Maldivian President will pay rich tributes
to the martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh by placing wreath at the
National Memorial in Savar.
President Solih’s visit to Dhaka will be followed by four other heads of
the state and the government of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and India on
separate schedules.
Maldives President will attend the National Parade Square (Ground)
function at Tejgaon where his Bangladesh counterpart will also be there at
4.30 pm.