Savar, Nov 22 (V7N) — Shortly after arriving in Bangladesh on a state visit, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay paid homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by laying a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar.

Following the wreath-laying ceremony on Saturday morning, the Bhutanese premier observed a moment of silence in memory of the heroic martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War. A smart contingent of the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented the national salute, accompanied by a solemn bugle tune.

Liberation War Affairs Advisor Farooq E Azam (Bir Pratik), Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Advisor Supradeep Chakma, and Housing and Public Works Secretary Md. Nazrul Islam were present during the ceremony.

Prime Minister Tobgay later signed the visitor’s book and planted a Bakul sapling on the memorial premises as a symbol of friendship and respect.

Earlier in the morning, the Bhutanese leader was accorded a red carpet reception upon landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 8:15 am on a DrukAir flight. Principal Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus welcomed him at the airport.

In the afternoon, Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor and Trade Advisor will meet the visiting Prime Minister. Around 3 pm, Tobgay is scheduled to hold a private meeting with Professor Muhammad Yunus at the Principal Advisor’s Office in Tejgaon. A state dinner has been arranged in his honor in the evening.

END/SMA/AJ