Terming December 6 a historic day, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday said Bangladesh and India have created a model of relationship by resolving major issues peacefully.

“It’s historic day and truly Maitri Diwas (Friendship Day). We’ve (Bangladesh-India) created model relations (for other countries),” he said at a discussion organized by Sector Commanders Forum (SCF) at the Jatiya Press Club.

Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar spoke as special guest. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami, Bhutan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Rinchen Kuentsyl, former diplomat Mohiuddin Ahmed and SCF Secretary General Haroon Habib, among others, spoke at the discussion held with SCF chief M Nurul Alam in the chair.

The Foreign Minister profoundly recalled the wholehearted support extended by the people of India and the Indian government during the 1971 Liberation War.

Dr Momen said he is eagerly waiting for the day when no visa will be required for Bangladeshis and Indians to travel to each other's countries. "Our relationship is written in blood and we want to deepen it," he said.

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He recalled with utmost respect the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on this historic day.

Dr Momen also remembered the brave freedom fighters of Bangladesh and the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for Bangladesh's Independence in 1971.

Bangladesh and India are celebrating the Maitri Diwas, the historic day when India, as the second country, recognized Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent state in 1971 after Bhutan.

The day has been designated by the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India as Bangladesh-India Friendship Day in March 2021.

Speaking as the chief guest at the discussion, Dr Momen said it was not the India-Pakistan war that Pakistan tried to interpret.

“This was a unique decision taken by the then Indian government,” the Foreign Minister said, thanking the Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, who announced that India recognised the government of Bangladesh.

The Foreign Minister thanked the Bhutanese government which recognized Bangladesh before India.

Dr Momen said the pending issues between the two countries -- Bangladesh-India -- will be resolved through dialogue and discussion.

He sought India’s support to celebrate Maitri Diwas in all Bangladesh Missions abroad jointly in future.

Global Celebrations

As part of this year’s celebration, the Friendship Day is jointly being commemorated in the capitals of 18 selected countries, including Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, the UAE, the USA, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, Singapore and then UK, in addition to the celebrations in Bangladesh and India by the respective diplomatic Missions of the two countries.

The celebrations of Friendship Day coincide with the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence and 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-India friendship.

In most of the cities, Friendship Day is being celebrated today (December 6), as planned. In a few of the cities, the celebrations would be arranged at a later date due to the Covid-19 related restrictions declared by the host governments.

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The programme includes an address by the Heads of the Missions of Bangladesh and India, address by the chief guest from the host country, cultural programme, screening of documentary on Bangladesh-India bilateral relations followed by reception showcasing foods of both the countries.

A photography exhibition, depicting the historic relationship between the two countries, while seminars and webinars are also being organized by some Missions as part of the joint celebrations.

Bangladesh and India have taken up yearlong programmes to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations on various other fronts.

Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition is being displayed in various cities of Bangladesh and India.

The exhibition was jointly inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India in March 2021 during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The two leaders also unveiled postage stamps commemorating 50 years of Bangladesh-India friendship at that time.

The exchange of visits by war veterans, exchange of visits of naval vessels, sporting events, cultural events and other programmes are also being organized to mark the 50th anniversary of friendship between the two countries.

Bangladesh and India are committed to further strengthening and consolidating the existing excellent relations that are founded on commonalities of values, culture and legacies based on mutual trust, respect and understanding, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The joint celebration is the reflection of the will of the people and the leadership of both the countries to work together for the next fifty years and beyond towards attaining a vision of shared prosperity and development, it said.