Diplomatic Correspondent

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland arrives in Dhaka today for a three-day visit to have discussions with high officials of Bangladesh government, opposition and other public figures on priorities and commitments of the voluntary association of 53 independent and equal sovereign states.

During the visit, she will call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, opposition political leaders, civil society and foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka.

On the first day of his visit, Secretary-General Scotland will address to the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BUSS) on the theme 'The Commonwealth Advantage - progress and potential" at 10:30am today.

This is her first visit to Bangladesh, where she will arrive from a visit to Sri Lanka. After Dhaka, she will travel to Brunei.

"Sri Lanka, Brunei and Bangladesh are greatly valued members of the Commonwealth family," Scotland said ahead of her travel.