Bangladesh-India set to celebrate Friendship Day

Bangladesh and India have completed preparations for grand celebration of Friendship Day on Monday (December 6), the historic day when India, as the second country, recognized Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent state in 1971 after Bhutan.

The day has been designated by the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India as Bangladesh-India Friendship Day in March 2021, said a press release on Sunday (December 5).

As part of the celebration, Friendship Day will be jointly commemorated in the capitals of 18 selected countries, including Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, USA, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, Singapore and UK, in addition to the celebrations in Bangladesh and India by the respective diplomatic Missions of the two countries.

The celebration of Friendship Day coincides with Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence and 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-India friendship. In most of the cities, Friendship Day program will be held tomorrow, 6 December, as planned. In few of the cities, the celebration would be held at a later date due to the Covid-19 related restrictions declared by the host governments, the release added.  

The program includes address by the Heads of the Missions of Bangladesh and India, address by the Chief Guest from the Host country, cultural program, screening of documentary on Bangladesh-India bilateral relations followed by reception showcasing foods of both the countries.

A photographic exhibition, depicting the historic relationship between the two countries and seminar/webinar is also being organized by some Missions as part of the joint celebrations.

Bangladesh and India have taken up yearlong programs to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations on various other fronts. Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition is being displayed in various cities of Bangladesh and India. The exhibition was jointly inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India in March 2021 during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The two leaders also unveiled postage stamps commemorating 50 years of Bangladesh-India friendship at that time. Exchange of visits by war veterans, exchange of visits of naval vessels, sporting events, cultural events and other programs are also being organized to mark the 50th anniversary of friendship between the two countries.

Bangladesh and India are committed to further strengthen and consolidate the existing excellent relations that are founded on commonalities of values, culture and legacies based on mutual trust, respect and understanding.

The joint celebration is the reflection of the will of the people and the leadership of both the countries to work together for the next fifty years and beyond towards attaining a vision of shared prosperity and development, the new release added.

MMA/