NEW DELHI, Sept 6, 2022 (BSS) - India today accorded a formal reception to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Bangladesh Premier on her arrival at the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Presidential Palace, around 9:15 am local time.

A horse mounted team of the President's Body Guards escorted the Prime Minister's motorcade from the Rastrapati Bhaban gate to the Forecourt.

The Bangladesh Premier was later given a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent drawn from three services of the Indian Armed Forces.

The national anthems of the two countries were played at that time. Sheikh Hasina then inspected the guard and took salute.

Then, the Indian Prime Minister introduced his cabinet colleagues to Sheikh Hasina at the presentation line. The Bangladesh Prime Minister also introduced her entourage members to Narendra Modi.

During the reception, the Prime Minister said India is our neighbouring country and close friend to us.

"The existing bilateral relations among us will continue in the days to come," PM’s Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon told newsmen quoting Sheikh Hasina.

The Premier expressed her gratitude to India, saying, "We are very much grateful to India for their help during our Liberation War in 1971”.

In this connection, she said Bangladesh gets assistance from India whenever required.

The Premier said Bangladesh always believes in its foreign policy “Friendship to all, malice to none”, formulated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bangladesh's Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan, PM's Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, her Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam, State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak and State Minister for Water Resources Ministry Zaheed Farooque and other members of her entourage were present.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Premier arrived in the Palam Airport in New Delhi around 11:40 am local time on September 5 on a four-day official visit as India rolled out the red carpet to welcome Sheikh Hasina.