NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has postponed his visit to Bangladesh after the Sheikh Hasina government decided to defer public events connected with the Mujib centenary celebrations in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.In a statement, MEA said, “Prime Minister’s visit to Bangladesh next week at the invitation of Sheikh Hasina is being deferred. While expressing understanding of the circumstances that necessitates this deferment, India is ready to work with Bangladesh, as partners, to combat the spread of this disease in our shared neighbourhood.”The MEA spokesperson said they had received official notice from Dhaka on postponement of the public event which would have seen Modi delivering the keynote address on March 17. According to official sources in Dhaka, the event would have had many global leaders in attendance. Public health concerns as a result of the coronavirus pandemic had prompted the decision.The past week has seen a number of protests by Islamist parties against India and the prime minister’s visit. The postponement could also help bring down temperatures and save embarrassment for both the governments.