Common People Happy over Modi's Visit: FM

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said the people of Bangladesh welcome the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra, and the opposition to it by few will have no negative impact on it.

''The common people of the country are very happy and most of them welcome his visit (March 26-27),'' said the foreign minister.

He said this on Thursday while talking to the reporters after a function in Dhaka adding that few people might be against the visit which will in no way affect it.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive here on Friday morning on a two-day state visit to attend the twin mega celebrations marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of Bangladesh's Independence.

Dr Momen said they believe in democracy and Bangladesh is a democratic country where freedom of speech is guaranteed.

He said the visit of Prime Minister Modi is to mainly join the celebrations and pay respect to Bangabandhu but Bangladesh will place its issues during bilateral discussions.

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering attended the 10-day special program in person that began on March 17.

Many global leaders, including Queen Elizabeth II, Pope Francis, Chinese President Xi Jinping, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Unesco Director-General Audrey Azoulay sent messages, marking the celebrations.