Bangladesh PM visit: In unusual move, Rashtrapati Bhavan recalls statement hour after issuing it

On Friday, the Rashtrapati Bhavan recalled a statement it had issued the previous day about a planned change of guard ceremony for Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to Delhi. The original statement, released at 2 pm, had stated there would be no change of guard ceremony on the day due to rehearsals for Rahman's ceremonial welcome.

However, the statement was recalled less than an hour later. The visit, Rahman's first as Bangladesh's leader, had not yet been formally announced by either India or Bangladesh. A new statement issued around 3 pm simply said that the earlier press release on the subject "No Change of Guard Ceremony this Saturday" was withdrawn. The Rashtrapati Bhavan hosts a ceremonial welcome for visiting heads of state and dignitaries during state visits to India, featuring a formal tri-services Guard of Honour, national anthems, and a dinner reception. Full dress rehearsals are conducted a day ahead of each ceremony.