Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today said the people of the two countries are very keen and interested in the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh. 

“The movements surrounding the visit will have no effect on the two countries. The government will provide adequate security to the state guests,” he said while responding to a query at a function organized by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) at Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in the capital’s Gulshan-2 on Thursday.

Earlier on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Independence, the minister inaugurated an exhibition titled “Friendship to All, Malice Towards None” at Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in Gulshan-2 on the initiative of DNCC.

“We are a democratic country. People of all classes have the right to freedom of expression. Some may oppose Modi’s visit. But the people of the two countries are very happy on the occasion of his arrival,” said the Foreign Minister.“What will happen if two or four people protest in front of the Press Club? That will have no effect on the two countries.”

Stating that a number of MoUs likely to be signed during the Indian premier’s visit, the Foreign Minister said when the Prime Minister or the President of any country visits another country, there are some issues of signing the MoUs. However, Modi’s visit this year is mainly about Bangladesh’s Independence Day and Bangabandhu’s birth centenary.

“There will be some issues on our part. The two sides have already reached an agreement on some issues. More than 5 MoUs likely to be signed,” he also said.

The events would be organized keeping in view the social distance and other precautions as the COVID situation was deteriorating again, informed AK Abdul Momen.

DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam presided over the function while MP Nahim Razzak and Nahid Izahar Khan were present. Ambassadors of the United States, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Kosovo and Saudi Arabia were also present as guests of honor.