Community News Desk: As parts of worldwide celebration of Maitri Dibosh or Friendship Day, the Embassies of Bangladesh and India in Brussels jointly organized an event in Brussels to commemorate the day India formally recognized Bangladesh as and independent and sovereign state.
The two countries celebrated the day to commemorate December 6 as Maitri Diboshas as it was on this day in 1971 that India recognised the new country. This was done 10 days before the liberation of Bangladesh and India was one of the first countries after Bhutan to establish diplomatic ties with Bangladesh.
In an elegant event held on March 21 at the classic Steigenberger Wiltcher’s Hotel in Brussels, Ambassador Mahbub Hassan Saleh of Bangladesh and Ambassador Santosh Jha of India welcomed international colleagues and friends from the government, think tanks, academia and media of Belgium and Luxembourg as well as dignitaries from the EU institutions.
In his speech Ambassador Saleh highlighted the ties of culture, history and the spiritual bonds of life and nature that the two countries share.
He reiterated the gratitude of the people and the Government of Bangladesh to the people and the Government of India for the latter’s crucial role in the Liberation War of Bangladesh, said a press release of Bangladesh embassy Brussels.
Highlighting the unique nature of the relationship, Ambassador Saleh said ‘’the emotive dynamics of our bond of friendship cannot be described or matched by any other relationship’’.
He underscored the robust and ever-deepening nature of the institutional friendship between Bangladesh and India which includes among others the issues of security, connectivity, water, land and maritime boundary, trade and investment, culture and people to people contact.
Highlighting the courage and bravery with which the Freedom Fighters and Indian Soldiers together stood up against the atrocities committed by the Pakistani forces, Ambassador Santosh Jha said ‘’it was India’s honour to be part of this moral struggle’’.
India-Bangladesh relationship has been forged in blood, replenished by shared history, culture and vibrant people to people ties. He commended Bangladesh for emerging today as a strong role model for socio-economic growth.
An impressive dance recital was presented by the Bangladeshi cultural troupe, Dhriti Nartanalaya, led by Warda Rihab. The leadership of Bangabandhu in the independence of Bangladesh and the deep-rooted bonds of friendship between the two countries were brought out through a touching dance performance.
