Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday handed over the Bangladesh Liberation War Honour to ailing Bharatiya Janata Party leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Modi visited Vajpayee’s residence and handed over the award to the former prime minister’s foster daughter Namita Bhattacharya and her husband Ranjan Bhattacharya.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was also present at the occasion.

Bangladesh has conferred its prestigious liberation war honour on Vajpayee for his “active role” in its independence struggle and consolidating friendship with India.

Modi had received the honour on behalf of Vajpayee during his recent visit to Bangladesh.

“Visited Atal ji and was delighted to hand over the Bangladesh Liberation War Honour to his family,” the PM tweeted.

Image: PM Narendra Modi hands over the Bangladesh Liberation War Honour to Vajpayee's family. Photograph: Press Information Bureau