Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is expected to arrive in New Delhi on March 20 on a three-day state visit, her first since assuming power five years ago.
Zia will be given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on March 21 which be followed by talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who also hosts a banquet for her on that day, diplomatic sources said Thursday.
The Bangladesh prime minister, to be accompanied by a high-powered delegation including at least two of her senior cabinet colleagues, would also call on President A P J Abdul Kalam. Congress chief and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi will call on Begum Zia and so will some cabinet ministers.
On March 22, the visiting prime minister will address a gathering of leading Indian chambers of commerce and industries. Efforts are to arrange Begum Zia's interaction with a select group of journalists during her stay in Delhi before she returns to Dhaka on March 23.
© 2024 Rediff.com -