No bilateral agreement is likely to be signed during the visits of two heads of state and three heads of government to Dhaka.
But a string of MoUs will be signed with these countries during the visit, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told a media briefing on the visits of the foreign dignitaries to take part in the golden jubilee celebration of the independence of Bangladesh and to attend Bangabandhu birth centenary programmes.
According to schedule, President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will arrive here on March 17, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 19, President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari on March 22, Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering on March 24 and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on March 26.
At least three MoUs will be signed with India during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. One of these MoUs is related to disaster management, will be signed between states. And the two others will be signed between institutions, foreign ministry officials said.
Over a dozen MoUs will be signed with Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan, the minister said.
All the dignitaries will have typical programme. They will visit Liberation Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar, Bangabandhu Museum at Dhanmondi and will join main programme as the chief guest at the National Parade Ground at Tejgaon in the city.
They will also attend meetings with President Abdul Hamid, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
But only Mr Modi will go outside of Dhaka during his visit.
He will go to Satkhira and Goplaganj on March 27 to visit to Hindu shrines.
Responding to a question whether Mr Modi’s visit to shrines has any link to the assembly elections in the West Bengal, the foreign minister said he was not aware of that.
“The prime minister of India has expressed his desire to visit these two shrines. He will also exchange pleasantries with locals,” the foreign minister said.
Earlier, the foreign minister told the FE that China wishes to send a top ranking leader, who will carry the message of President Xi Jinping on the occasions.
Prime minister of Canada and French president will send video messages on the occasions, the foreign minister said.
Leaders of Myanmar were not invited to join the programmes but their ambassador will attend the ceremonies, Mr Momen stated.
State Minister for foreign affairs M Shahriar Alam said all of these dignitaries are making their first foreign visits after the long pandemic period.
This is a sign of their love and respect to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and her daughter Sheikh Hasina, Shahriar added.