Bangladesh rolled out the red carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he touched down in Dhaka on Friday morning. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present at the tarmac as a special gesture setting the tone for two-day visit celebration of friendship and a war fought side by side.
“India and Bangladesh are tied together culturally and in progress,’’ said Modi at the Bangladesh National Day programme. “Our goals are the similar as well as our challenge. Just we have like have opportunity in trade and we also face similar threat in terrorism,’’ he said.
This is Modi’s first trip abroad after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. An important trip high on symbolism, the aim is to emphasise—especially to the neighbourhood—the special nature of the India-Bangladesh relationship joint by blood. “I also salute the brave soldiers of the Indian Army who stood with the brothers and sisters of Bangladesh in the ‘Muktijuddho’ (Liberation War). I am happy to see them present at this event today,” he added.
The Indian contribution—and the connection—was also touched upon by an emotional Hasina who remembered the dark night when her family was assassinated. “In our Independence war, we always remember the contribution of India,’’ she said. “India was beside us during our good and bad times,’’ she added.
The ministry of external affairs has ensured that the trip is carefully crafted to woo Bangladeshi hearts—from the itinerary for Modi, which includes going out of Dhaka and visiting mausoleum of Sheikh Mujib to the coat worn by Modi—the Mujib coat—to the National Day celebration. Designed to cement friendship, the fabric was carefully chosen to be Khadi India's freedom fabric. The symbolism is unmistakable, especially, as Modi jacket has turned into a diplomatic power gift—the South Korean President Moon Jae-in was gifted the Modi jacket because he admired it. (An order of 100 coats with Khadi and Villages Industry Commission had been placed by the Indian High Commission for the occasion, according to reports).
But India hopes to go beyond just symbolism. “We have demonstrated that mutual trust and partnership we can solve all problems. The land boundary agreement illustrates that,’’ said Modi.
And to ensure that this goes beyond just diplomacy, there has been an attempt to win the younger Bangladeshis. An invitation has been extended to 50 entrepreneurs to join start-ups in India is an attempt to find new connections. With an economy that is growing at 7 per cent, it is a chance for India to be part of the growth story.