The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has observed Armed Forces Day, marking the founding of Army, Navy and Air Force during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran hosted a reception at the mission Monday to mark the 50th anniversary of Armed Forces Day, paying homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the martyrs of the Liberation War of 1971.

This year Bangladesh is celebrating the golden jubilee of its independence and the birth centenary of the Bangabandhu.

Bangladesh and India are also observing their 50th year of diplomatic relations and defence ties.

To celebrate Bangladesh's Armed Forces Day India's Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was present as chief guest.

India's Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhury, and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh were also present as special guests, said a media statement.

Brigadier General Md Abul Kalam Azad, defence adviser to the Bangladesh mission, delivered the welcome speech.

Rajnath Singh in his speech mentioned that the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the ray of hope during Bangladesh's War of Liberation in 1971.

Under his historic leadership the whole of Bangladesh came together and fought against the atrocities of the occupied forces, he said.

Also, the Indian minister recalled the recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh during the celebration of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu.

He mentioned that the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and India has now reached the highest level, and it will be strengthened further.

This is the first time in history since Bangladesh's independence that the union cabinet minister for defence and all the chiefs of military services of India joined to celebrate its Armed Forces Day.