Home ›› 18 Dec 2021 ›› Back
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said they will remain closely connected with their Bangladeshi friends to jointly achieve development and prosperity and to meet the aspirations of the people of the two countries.
"India values your extraordinary goodwill and friendship and I'm confident that the bond forged by blood and sacrifice in 1971 will continue to bind our nations together in future," he said.
The Indian President made the remarks while addressing a reception accorded to the Indian community and friends of India before wrapping up his three-day "historic" state visit to Bangladesh.
President Kovind, who was deeply touched by the warmth and affection of the people of Bangladesh, said Bangladesh has a special place in the hearts of Indians.
"Ours is a uniquely close relationship based on age-old ties of kinship, shared language and culture. Our ties have been nurtured by the sagacious leadership of the two countries," he said.
While paying homage to Bangabandhu at his home in 32 Dhanmondi, President Kovind said he was reminded of the declaration of independence that Bangabandhu had issued in Dhaka on 26 March 1971, the atrocities and genocide faced by the people of Bangladesh and the armed struggle of the Mukti Bahini against the brutal Pakistani occupation forces.
"Today, as your country becomes a model of growth and development in the region, it has proven to the world that the fight of the people of Bangladesh was for a just cause. This fight was for fundamental democratic rights and that the emergence of Bangladesh was indeed the power of right defeating the power of might," he said.
Just before attending the reception, President Kovind visited the historic Ramna Kaali temple where he had the privilege of inaugurating the renovated temple.
"I look at it as a blessing from Maa Kaali. I’ve been told that the governments and the people of Bangladesh and India helped restore the temple which was demolished by Pakistani forces during the war of liberation. A large number of people were killed by the occupation forces," he said, adding that this temple is a symbol of the spiritual and cultural bonding among the people of India and Bangladesh.
In this unique year, when the two countries are celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the Liberation War, the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th anniversary of the two countries friendship as well as the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, the Indian President said, "Let us rededicate ourselves towards fulfilling the dreams of the founding fathers of our nations."
Following the Liberation War, Bangladesh has undergone a major socio-economic transformation, especially under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Kovind said.
