PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh next week at the invitation of PM Sheikh Hasina is being deferred, ANI reported on Monday, 9 March, quoting the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The MEA said that they had received a formal notification from the Bangladesh government stating that a decision has been taken to defer the public events being organised to celebrate the birth centenary celebrations of its founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, after three coronavirus cases were detected in the country.

PM Modi was scheduled to attend this event.

The MEA said that the deferment also applies to the large gathering planned for 17 March, at which PM Modi was invited, adding that the Bangladesh government had informed them that fresh dates for these events would be conveyed later.

The year-long celebrations were scheduled to be declared open during the massive festivities at the National Parade Ground in Dhaka on 17 March.