Prince Charles of the United Kingdom has congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of the country's golden jubilee of independence through a video message.
He also expressed sadness that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic had prevented him from visiting Bangladesh to mark the occasion.
In the opening remarks of his video message, the Prince of Wales said: "Assalamu Alaikum, ladies and gentlemen, I am so very pleased to be able to send my warmest congratulations and best wishes to everyone celebrating the golden jubilee of Bangladesh -- here in the United Kingdom, in Bangladesh, across the Commonwealth and around the world."
"Over the last few years, I have been fortunate enough to witness Bangladesh's incredible development into the confident and proud partner of today. These achievements have been remarkable."
Prince Charles in the message commended Bangladesh’s remarkable achievements, including bringing more than 50 million people out of extreme poverty since 1990; increasing life expectancy and reducing infant mortality; and turning the economy into one of the fastest-growing in the world.
"It is a matter of great personal sadness that this global pandemic has so far prevented me from making a visit to Bangladesh to mark this special year," he said.
"I particularly wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude to frontline workers helping to keep Bangladesh safe during these difficult times, and to many British-Bangladeshis, who contribute so much to the National Health Service here in [the] United Kingdom."
The prince also commended Bangladesh’s “considerable leadership on tackling the existential threats from accelerating climate change” and welcomed “the role of The Honourable Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, in chairing the Climate Vulnerable Forum of nations most affected by the multiple threats of global warming, climate change and biodiversity loss”.
Prince Charles recognised the 600,000 strong British-Bangladeshi diaspora community and the “incredible contribution this community has made to all walks of British life”.
In closing, the prince observed that the UK and Bangladesh “have a shared history, a shared constitutional commitment to freedom, the rule of law, free speech and democracy and an affection which continues to bind us in friendship.
“We come together today in the context of the Commonwealth, as friends and beneficiaries of a common heritage. We shall remain together as partners over the years to come.
“I send my fondest wishes to Bangladesh and all those celebrating this very special occasion. Shadhinotar ponchash bochhore Bangladesh ke amar obhinandan!”
