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Describing the bond between Bangladesh and India as “eternal”, Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Pranay Verma said mutual benefit and interdependence will advance the relationship.
He made the remarks at an event organised to mark India-Bangladesh Friendship Day or Maitri Diwas at Gulshan on Saturday.
“We always seek a stable, positive, constructive, forward-looking and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh which is based on equality, mutual sensitivity and mutual respect and understanding,” Verma said.
On the bond between the neighbours through “history, geography, language, culture, empathy, and sacrifice”, he said: “It is a reminder of how the depth of this connection between us is a part of the day-to-day lives of our people on both sides of our border.
“And for that reason, Maitri Diwas is an affirmation that the bonds we share with Bangladesh are not transient; they are indeed everlasting.”
Verma added, “India stood by the people of Bangladesh in 1971 and will continue to support them in realising the vision for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive nation.
“I'm confident that we will work to fulfil the aspirations of our people and forge closer people-to-people ties inspired by our shared sacrifices and also guided by our new aspirations for the future.
“Our societies and economies are closely linked. So closely that we are interdependent on each other. We both depend on each other. We cannot grow and progress alone.
“We want to reinforce these interdependencies that can bind us ever closer in a positive and mutually rewarding manner.
“We also believe that our people in both our countries are the main stakeholders of this relationship and therefore we are building a partnership that must first and foremost benefit the people of our two countries, whether it is cross-border transport or power or energy connectivity or trade and economic linkages.
“They are meant for the shared prosperity of our people and their well-being.”
India recognised Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign state on Dec 6, 1971 -- 10 days before the end of the Liberation War. The day has been celebrated as “India-Bangladesh Friendship Day” since 2021. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) of the High Commission of India organised a cultural programme to mark the day.
Highlighting the significance of the day, Verma said: “This date marks the beginning of a relationship based on empathy and trust that has sustained despite changes and occasional challenges and ups and downs.
“This day showcases the pride with which people of India stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the courageous brothers and sisters of Bangladesh in their struggle for freedom.
“Today therefore is a day for remembrance and also gratitude. Occasions like today are profound because they give us an opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved together.”
Highlighting Bangladesh and India as fast-growing economies, he said: “Our continuous progress and rising aspirations for a better future are creating new opportunities for our cooperation.”
“Today our relationship is multifaceted and complementing each other's national development. Our cooperation is based on our shared conviction that our progress and prosperity are interlinked. As a neighbour to whom we take a long-term view of our relations.”