Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has arrived in the capital Dhaka on a three-day official visit.

A special aircraft of Air India-1 carrying the president landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 12:25pm.

The Indian president later headed for National Memorial at Savar to pay homage to the Liberation War martyrs.

President Mukherjee will have talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Khaleda Zia. Besides, Speaker Abdul Hamid, Finance Minister AMA Muhith and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni will call on the Indian president.

Mr. Mukherjee will be the first Indian president to visit Bangladesh in nearly four decades as the neighbouring countries look forward to strengthening their ties. The last Indian president who visited Bangladesh was VV Giri in 1974.

BBN/SSR/AD-03Mar13-1:40 pm (BST)