Bangladesh Socheton Nagorik Committee arranges programme to showcase strong bond shared between India-Bangladesh

The event was held at 11 am.

People were seen holding banners which read, "Long live the friendship between Bangladesh and India."

The event was held in the country when PM Narendra Modi was scheduled to visit Dhaka to be part of the “Mujib Borsho”, which will mark the birth centenary celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

However, Modi's visit to Bangladesh has been deferred owing to impact of coronavirus scare in the neighbouring nation.

In response to queries regarding the visit of Prime Minister to Bangladesh, the Official Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "Prime Minister's visit to Bangladesh next week at the invitation of HE Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is being deferred." 

Meanwhile, Bangladesh's other opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), whose chief Khaleda Zia is currently in prison over graft cases, opposed Modi's visit over the recent violence in Delhi triggered by the new citizenship law passed by the Indian government last year.

Zia, who had earlier served as Bangladesh PM, was jailed for 17 years on February 8, 2018, in two corruption cases a few years ago.

However, the country's government said they were ready to welcome Modi.

Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune that Narendra Modi would attend the “Mujib Borsho” programme as a representative of India for its great contribution in the Liberation War.

“India must participate in the ‘Mujib Borsho’ programme because of its great contribution in the Liberation War,” he said, adding: “Narendra Modi will attend the function as a representative of India.”

Bangladesh is scheduled to observe Mujib Borsho from Mar 17, 2020 to Mar 26, 2021.

Even key Opposition Leader Rawshan Ershad also said Modi should be welcomed to the country.