New Delhi, Mar 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Dhaka visit has been deferred after the Bangladesh government postponed the grand inaugural ceremony of Mujib Year in view of the Coronavirus outbreak across the world.
The grand event was scheduled to take place on March 17.
In a response to media query, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “We have received formal notification from the Government of Bangladesh that a decision has been taken by them to defer the public events being organized to celebrate the centenary of the birth of the Father of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on account of the detection of cases of coronavirus in Bangladesh, and the larger global public health situation in this regard.”
“The impact of this deferment applies also to the large gathering planned for March 17, at which the Prime Minister of India was invited,” the spokesperson added.
The Bangladesh government has said that the fresh dates for the commemorative events will be conveyed later.
“… While expressing understanding of the circumstances that necessitates this deferment, India is ready to work with Bangladesh, as partners, to combat the spread of this disease in our shared neighbourhood,” Mr Kumar said.
The rearrangement of events came after the neighbouring country reported first three cases of Coronovirus infection.
A number of heads of government of different countries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were invited to join the March 17 ceremony.
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had also visited Dhaka recently to prepare the ground for Mr Modi’s visit.
UNI ASH JW2035
