War veterans of India reach Dhaka, that of Bangladesh Kolkata for 1971 war victory day event

Amid the recent strain in ties between India and Bangladesh, there is positive news. Eight former soldiers of each country will participate in the Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata and Dhaka on Monday.

Eight ‘Mukti Jodhas’ (war veterans) of Bangladesh and two serving officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces have reached India to participate in the Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata, the headquarters of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command.

Eight Indian war veterans and two serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces have arrived in Dhaka to take part in Bangladesh's Victory Day celebrations.

Monday is the 53rd anniversary of the Liberation War that led to creation of Bangladesh when India defeated Pakistan in a war in 1971.

India and Bangladesh have been inviting each other's war veterans and serving officers to participate in their respective celebrations. But since the interim government led by Mohd Yunus took over, there has been acrimony in the India-Bangladesh relations.

The armies have invited each other regularly, the invite and attendance of soldiers from each side strengthen the bond of friendship between the two nations while commemorating the shared history of their armed forces, officials said.

Last month in India, Bangladesh High commissioner Mustafizur Rahman paid homage to Indian soldiers and veterans who played a key role in the 1971 liberation war.