BD New Delhi mission hosts reception marking the Independence Day

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has hosted a reception last evening in observance of the 52nd Independence and National Day of Bangladesh. State Minister for External Affairs of India Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh attended the function as chief guest with Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran in the chair. Another State Minister for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi also joined the function as special guest. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rajkumar Singh said the economic progress, peace and stability in Bangladesh is not securing the interest of the people of Bangladesh, it is also playing important role in developing the North-Eastern region of India.

He mentioned that the relationship between India-Bangladesh is passing through a golden chapter as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovid have visited Bangladesh last year to celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and to mark the golden jubilee of Bangladesh victory day respectively. Paying rich tributes to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said, Bangabandhu is not only the great hero of the independence of Bangladesh but also considered as a hero in India. Attaching utmost importance on further strengthening ties between the two countries, he said India is proud to be a partner of Bangladeshis stellar economic progress.

Muhammad Imran in his speech referred India’s contribution to Bangladesh’s great War of Liberation in 1971 and said the bond of friendship between the two countries have been growing to a newer height over the years. “The relations between Bangladesh-India have reached to a golden chapter having a comprehensive partnership covering all possible area of co-operations under the worthy leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he added. Listing various joint venture programmes, Imran said in the recent years Bangladesh-India have been working together to re-establish the old connectivity and to open new routes to connect the distant areas of India through Bangladesh. He said people to people contact between Bangladesh and India has increased manifold due to better connectivity and flexibility in visa regime of both sides.

At the beginning of the programme, the band of Bangladesh Air Force played the melody of the national anthem of musical instrument on the occasion of the Independence Day. A cake was also cut on the occasion apart from organizing a cultural evening. “Fakhruddin’s Birani”, a tasty and famous Bangladeshi delicacy was served along with other dishes among the distinguished guests. War veterans, diplomats including High Commissioner and Ambassadors of different countries, military attaches, high government officials, elites, journalists’ academics and friends of Bangladesh attended the programme. The chancery and the Bangladesh House, residence of the High Commissioner were illuminated marking the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh.