FM: Dhaka, Delhi await greater engagement in 2021

GBNEWS24 DESK//

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence is expected to witness a large number of bilateral activities between Bangladesh and India taking historic relations to a new height.

“We’re happy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the celebrations of the 50th Independence Day of Bangladesh on March 26 next year,” he said, reports UNB.

Dr Momen said both the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India will meet for a virtual summit coinciding with the celebrations of victory in December — most likely on December 17.

The Foreign Minister was addressing a webinar on “India’s Contribution to the Liberation War of Bangladesh” on Sunday.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami, Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, educationist Shamoly Nasreen Chowdhury, freedom fighter and Swadhinata Padak awardee Col (retd) Sajjad Zahir, prominent human rights activist Julian Francis, and social activist Aroma Dutta also spoke on the occasion.

Dr Momen said the saga of Great Liberation War was, by its enormity, a triumph for the ‘free world’ and democracy.

The creation of Bangladesh was also a triumph of the innate democratic ideals and resolve of the people who delivered tears, toils and blood in pursuit of a homeland in which they could speak their own language, nurture their culture and lead the life in dignity – free from the spectre of extremism and exploitation, he said.

“We carried through the battlefield an eternal dream of universal liberty, pluralism, religious harmony, human rights and a democratic and egalitarian society, not only for our own selves but also for the rest of the world,” said the Foreign Minister.

Dr Momen said Bengalee is a martial nation of heroes and victors. “We’ve earned independence of the country in exchange of millions of martyrs. Such a nation can never stay behind in the world.”

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said, Bangladesh has been advancing with tremendous pace on the highway to development.

“Let’s take a renewed vow to establish secular Sonar Bangladesh free from hunger, poverty and illiteracy, dream of our Father of the Nation,” said the Foreign Minister.

He thanked India for its unqualified support to Bangladesh in 1971 and looks forward to walking together for a better tomorrow.

On 16th December 1971, Pakistan military surrendered to the Joint Forces of India and Bangladesh and Indira Gandhi also helped get Bangabandhu alive and well from the Pakistani jail.

“India is our historic time-trusted friends. We’re tied with civilisational, cultural, social and economic bonds,” said the Foreign Minister.