Dhaka, Mar 22 (Agency) The red carpet was rolled out as Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari arrived here on Monday morning on a two-day official visit. A VVIP aircraft of Nepal Airlines (A320), carrying the Nepalese President along with her entourage members, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal (R) International Airport (HISA) at 10 hrs. It is the first visit of a Nepalese President to Dhaka. The Himalayan state’s President is visiting Bangladesh at the invitation of her Bangladeshi counterpart. The Nepalese President became the third among the world leaders to attend the celebrations of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Maintaining the health guidelines due to COVID-19 outbreak, President Hamid received his Nepalese counterpart with a bouquet at the airport at 1017 hrs. The visiting delegation members also maintained health rules, including wearing masks and maintaining social distancing, on the occasion. The Nepalese President was given an honour guard with 21-gun salute by a smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force at the HISA. Abdul Hamid and his Nepalese counterpart Bhandari enjoyed the state honour staying on the makeshift saluting dais while the national anthem of the respective states was played. The state guest also inspected the parade and subsequently both the Presidents introduced the respective countries delegation to each other.
On the occasion, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujon, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira, among others, were present at the airport. The state guest also inspected the parade and subsequently both the Presidents introduced the respective countries delegation to each other. Nepalese President entourage members include: President’s daughter Usha Kiran Bhandari, Foreign Affairs Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and secretaries concerned and senior officials of the Nepalese government. On the occasion, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujon, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira, among others, were present at the airport. Nepalese President entourage members include: President’s daughter Usha Kiran Bhandari, Foreign Affairs Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and secretaries concerned and senior officials of the Nepalese government. President Bhandari will pay a courtesy call on her Bangladeshi counterpart M Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban. In the evening, she will sign a visitors’ book there and is scheduled to enjoy a cultural function followed by dinner at the state dining hall here.