PM for further bolstering Bangladesh-India ties thru trade, connectivity

GBNEWS24DESK//

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday stressed the need for recommitting to work for strengthening further the 50-year diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India by concentrating on people-to-people contact, trade, business and connectivity.

This has become increasingly important for both sides, she said in a video message aired in a programme in New Delhi on the ‘Maitri Diwas’ or Friendship Day marking 50 years of Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations, BSS reports.

“We continue to believe in the importance of our relationship. At the same time, this (50th) anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the foundation of our bilateral relations and the path ahead. It is an occasion also to re-commit ourselves to work towards further strengthening the long standing dynamic partnership between Bangladesh and India,” Sheikh Hasina said.

She recalled that during the state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh on 26-27 March 2021, they agreed on the joint celebrations in 18 selected cities along with Dhaka and New Delhi, and to recognize 6 December as “Maitri Diwas”.

Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) arranged the programme in New Delhi on Monday, marking the 50th anniversary of India-Bangladesh Diplomatic Relations as India had recognised Bangladesh on December 06, 1971.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs K.M.Khalid,Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi Ambassador Muhammad Imran and ICWA Director General Vijay Thakur Singh also spoke at the function.

Today, India and Bangladesh are jointly observing the friendship day (December 6) in Dhaka and New Delhi and 18 countries around the world, including Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, Singapore, the UK, Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the US.

The Prime Minister said, “Bangladesh and India are celebrating the Golden Jubilee of establishment of diplomatic relations. This is a milestone in the journey of our bilateral relations. India recognized Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign state on December 6th, 1971.”