South Asia
Bidya Devi-Hasina You are an inspirational leader, I am your fan: Nepal Prez Bidya Devi to Sheikh Hasina
Dhaka, March 23: Nepal's President Bidya Devi Bhandari lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dynamic leadership, saying, "You are a great inspirational leader in the world. I am a fan of yours," during a courtesy call at the Intercontinental Hotel in the capital on Monday (March 22).
Later, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the media on the meeting.
He said the President of Nepal had said that Bangladesh had made significant progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh can be a role model for women's participation in the unprecedented progress of national development activities. At the time, Bidya Devi said, "We want meaningful cooperation."
The President of Nepal thanked the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for providing immediate assistance to Bangladesh in times of need. She also thanked the Prime Minister for proposing to Nepal to use Bangladesh's port facilities and Syedpur Airport.
The President of Nepal stressed the need to enhance communication between BIMSTEC member states. At the same time, both countries are facing the adverse effects of natural disasters, she said, adding that both countries can ensure maximum use of their resources in dealing with disasters.
Earlier, Nepal's President Bidya Devi Bhandari arrived in Dhaka on Monday morning on a two-day official visit. She was received at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by the President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid. The guard of honor was given to her at the airport after 21 rounds of artillery fire.
Bidya Devi's visit is to attend the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh's independence. This is the first visit of the President of Nepal to Bangladesh at the invitation of the President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid.
Her entourage includes Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, the Office of the President and the concerned ministries.
The President of Nepal paid homage to the heroes of the Liberation War by laying a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar. Bidya Devi signed the visitors book there and planted a sapling.
Later, she visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi No. 32 to pay homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the Bengali nation.
In the afternoon, the President of Nepal attended the celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence as a guest. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received her there.
