POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Dec 6, 2022 : Today (Dec 6) is Bangladesh-India Friendship Day. India recognized Bangladesh on December 6, 1971, 10 days before the liberation of Bangladesh.
It was decided to observe December 6 as Friendship Day (Moitry Diwas) when the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi visited Bangladesh in March last year to attend the inauguration of Mujib Barsha.
As a result, on the golden jubilee of independence and diplomatic relations, Bangladesh and India officially celebrated Friendship Day for the first time on this day last year.
This year too, the day is being celebrated in both the countries through various programmes. Although Bangladesh and India are two different countries, the people of both countries are inseparable, historically and culturally bound.
In 1971, the Indian government, the people of India and the Indian army stood by the side of our endangered people and made this bond permanent when the Pakistani invasion forces started killing Bengalis in today’s Bangladesh by adopting the terracotta policy.
Our brave freedom fighters as well as numerous members of the Indian Army laid down their lives that day to snatch the red sun of Bangladesh’s independence under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
And through this great self-sacrifice, the bond of friendship between Bangladesh and India, the bond of love and harmony between people has been forged in blood. The Bangladesh-India Friendship Association is determined to strengthen the foundation of this bond.
President of Bangladesh-Bharat Maitri Samiti Mr. Md. Rashidul Alam and General Secretary Narayan Saha Moni expressed hope that under the leadership of the current Prime Ministers of the two countries, Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi, the relationship between the two countries will strengthen and advance economically.
Professor Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah of Dhaka University said, “If India was not on our side in 1971, we could not have become independent. It is also true that if India did not stand by us, they would not have got such a faithful and good friend”.
He said, we will call India the midwife. The Indira-Mujib agreement was implemented in 51 years. All other agreements which have not yet been implemented are expected to be implemented.
Indian Media Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (IMCAB) President Vasudev Dhar, General Secretary Masum Billah and former Secretary Rafiqual Islam Sobuj issued a statement on the anniversary.
In the statement they said, December 6 is a memorable day in the history of liberation war.
On the occasion of India-Bangladesh Friendship Day, the Indian High Commission has been following the programme throughout the month.
Social and political organizations of Bangladesh are observing the day with great importance.
