The Embassies of Bangladesh and India in Tokyo celebrated the 50 years of Bangladesh – India Relations through Maitri Diwas or Friendship Day with due fervor today (06 December 2021) in Tokyo. To mark the day, a reception was organized at a local hotel this evening where H.E. Mr. Honda Taro, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan has graced the program as the Chief Guest. Ambassador of Bangladesh, H.E. Sahabuddin Ahmed and Ambassador of India, H.E. Sanjay Kumar Verma received the distinguished guests.
Ambassadors and representatives of different diplomatic missions, dignitaries, high-officials, renowned businesspersons, academicians, journalists from Japan and expatriates from both Bangladesh and India attended the event. Attendees paid solemn respect to all Martyred who sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. A colorful cultural program enthralled the audience.
On the occasion, Chief Guest, Honda Taro delivered his speech. He congratulated the governments and the peoples of Bangladesh and India, on the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India. He expressed satisfaction on maintaining cordial relations with Bangladesh and India during Japan’s long history of exchanges which made bilateral relationships even more solid in recent years through a wide range of cooperation in both the public and private sectors.
Besides, Ambassador Sahabuddin Ahmed and Ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma gave their remarks. Ambassador Ahmed paid deepest respect to the Greatest Bengali of all times, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 3 million martyrs who sacrificed their lives, 2 hundred thousand women who lost their dignity, all freedom fighters, and the organizers of independence war in 1971. The Ambassador also recalled with profound gratitude the support India had provided during the wartime in 1971.
He also solemnly remembered the supreme sacrifices of all the members of the Indian Armed Forces and Indian nationals. Ambassador Ahmed pointed out that in recent years, Bangladesh and India have scripted a “Sonali Adhyay” or “Golden Chapter” of bilateral ties and given new dimension and direction to our partnership under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We have come a long way in our journey to peace, progress and prosperity and would forge ahead together in amity and cooperation in the days ahead, he added.
Ambassador Verma paid a respectful tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who dedicated his life for Bangladesh and its people. He also highlighted the role played by the then Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi and former Prime Minister of India Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee in liberation of Bangladesh. He recalled the historical circumstances that led to the birth of Bangladesh when millions of people of Bangladesh sacrificed their lives, he also remembered the brave soldiers of Indian Armed Forces who stood with their Bangladeshi brothers and sisters and played a significant role in realizing the dream of independent Bangladesh.
Ambassador Verma explained the India-Bangladesh special partnership, which goes beyond even a strategic partnership and consequently bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India have achieved great degree of maturity and comfort, with complex issues been resolved in an amicable manner. India-Bangladesh relations today are deeper than any other strategic partnership, told Mr. Verma and was confident that the spirit of friendship, understanding and mutual respect engendered during the liberation war of Bangladesh will continue to promote values of secularism, pluralism, and democracy.
Video documentaries and photographs highlighting the deep friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and India were displayed at the reception.
