Bangladesh, India to witness greater bilateral activities: FM

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said that the 50th anniversary of independence is expected to witness a greater number of bilateral activities between India and Bangladesh. 

Stating India as our historic time-trusted friends Dr Momen said, the countries were tied with civilizational, cultural, social and economic bonds. 

"The two nations share a common history, linguistic and cultural heritage. This unity is reflected in multi-dimensional and expanding relations," said Dr Momen.

Dr Momen said both the Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh will meet for a virtual summit coinciding with the celebrations of our victory in December.

The Foreign Minister was addressing a webinar on "India's Contribution to the Liberation War of Bangladesh" on Sunday.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami, Justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, Educationist Shamoly Nasreen Chowdhury, Freedom fighter and Swadhinata Padak awardee Col (retd) Sajjad Zahir, Prominent human rights activist Julian Francis, and Social activist Aroma Dutta also spoke on the occasion.

Dr Momen recalled with profound respect the Father of the Nation and the greatest Bengalee of all times Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He also paid deep homage to the Freedom fighters and 3 million martyrs, including the Indian soldiers, who laid down their lives during our Liberation War in 1971. 

Expressing gratitude towards the allies that helped Bangladesh in 1971 Liberation war, Dr Momen also pointed out that it was not a war between India and Pakistan as many have wrong perceptions across the world. 

The minister said India played a vital role in the Liberation war of Bangladesh. Not only political, but also military as well as people-to-people support was given by India. 

Besides, India provided support and refuge to the people of Bangladesh. The contribution of Indian government and the people of India is an integral part of the history of the Liberation War of Bangladesh.

Dr Momen called the great Liberation War a triumph for the 'free world' and democracy adding that the creation of Bangladesh was also a triumph of the innate democratic ideals.

"We carried through the battlefield an eternal dream of universal liberty, pluralism, religious harmony, human rights and a democratic and egalitarian society, not only for our own selves but also for the rest of the world," said the minister.

He said Bangladesh is a martial nation of heroes and victors. "We have earned independence of the country in exchange of the millions of martyrs. Such nation can never stay behind in the world." 

Dr Momen said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has been advancing with tremendous pace on the highway to development. 

He urged to take a renewed vow to establish secular Sonar Bangladesh free from hunger, poverty and illiteracy, the dream of our  Father of the Nation.

The Foreign Minister recalled the role of Indira Gandhi saying, "the personal, political and diplomatic role of the former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in our Liberation War is inseparable from the Bengalee Nation's history."

"As Pakistan's atrocities increased, Indira Gandhi decided to step in. Despite constrained with her limited resources, India shared whatever it had with their Bangladesh."

Dr Momen said Prime Minister Indira Gandhi conducted herself with remarkable patience, maturity, and restraint. "For over six months, between March and October 1971, Indira Gandhi wrote letters to world leaders, informing them of the situation on the Indian border," said the Foreign Minister.

She visited Moscow—and undertook a tour to Germany, France, Britain, Belgium and the USA to garner international public opinion in favour of independent Bangladesh, Dr Momen said.

The Foreign Minister said New Delhi also helped us establishing the provisional government of Bangladesh.

He added that the Indian government provided all assistance in raising, organising, training and equipping Mukti Bahini.

"During our war of liberation many Indian soldiers and Jawans died. . The blood of these Indian soldiers is mixed with the soil of Independent Bangladesh. Never shall we forget them," said the Foreign Minister.

In November 1971 Indian govt. formed Joint Command of Indian and Bangladeshi forces and on 6th December, it extended its recognition to independent Bangladesh and they uphold a new era started. 

Dr Momen said he could never explain the joy and emotion that touched Bangladeshis heart and soul on that day.

He further quoted from the statement Prime Minister Indira Gandhi made in the Parliament announcing the decision of Indian govt. to grant recognition to Bangladesh, which in essence highlighted the struggle and travails of the Bengali nation.

"The valiant struggle of the people of Bangladesh in the face of tremendous odds has opened a new chapter of heroism in the history of freedom movements...The Government of Bangladesh is supported by the 'will of the nation, substantially expressed'. The people of Bangladesh battling for their very existence and the people of India fighting to defeat aggression now find themselves partisans in the same cause. Our thoughts at this moment are with the Father of this new State, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," Momen quoted Indira Gandhi as saying.