Bangladesh rolled out the red carpet to welcome Indian President Ram Nath Kovind as he arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday on a three-day visit to join the Golden Jubilee celebration of Bangladesh's Independence.
President M Abdul Hamid along with his wife Rashida Khanam received his Indian counterpart at Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) International Airport (HISA).
Earlier, a special Indian Airlines flight carrying Kovind and his entourage members landed at 11:10 am (BST) in the airport.
In his maiden tour to Dhaka, Kovind is being accompanied by Indian first lady Shrimati Savita Kovind and their daughter Swathi Covind, India's education minister and two parliament members alongside several senior officials.
President Hamid received his Indian counterpart with a bouquet at the airport while Rashida Hamid also presented a bouquet to the Indian first lady at the airport.
Maintaining the health guidelines due to pandemic situation, the Indian President was given an honour guard with 21-gun salute by a smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force there.
The visiting delegation members also followed health rules, including wearing masks and maintaining social distancing, on the occasion.
Abdul Hamid and his Indian counterpart Kovind enjoyed the state honour staying on the makeshift saluting dais while the national anthem of the respective states was played.
The state guest also inspected the parade and subsequently both the Presidents introduced the respective countries delegation to each other.
The 14th Indian President is the only foreign dignitary participating in the event of December 16 here at the invitation of his Bangladesh counterpart Abdul Hamid to represent India at the celebrations as a guest of honour.
Source: BSS