India gives highest priority to friendship with Bangladesh: Kovind

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 16

India and Bangladesh have the unique foundation of friendship forged during the liberation war 50 years ago, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Thursday as he recalled the untold suffering of tens of millions of people of Bangladesh inflicted on them by an “oppressive regime”, an apparent reference to Pakistan which ruled the territory till its independence in 1971.

Addressing the Victory Day and Mujib Borsho celebrations at the Bangladesh Parliament here, President Kovind said the 1971 Liberation War struggle for freedom has a special place in the hearts of every Indian.

“India has always attached the highest priority to its friendship with Bangladesh. We remain committed to doing all we can, to help realise full potential of our friendship,” said Kovind.

Kovind is the only foreign head of state to attend the golden jubilee Victory Day parade in Dhaka as the “Guest of Honour” along with the top Bangladesh leadership led by President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The dignitaries witnessed aerobatics and a military march past that was joined by contingents from India, Russia and Bhutan. The US and Mexico sent military observer groups which also took part in the parade. Significantly, there was no mention of China in the commemorations.

Kovind witnessed the loud cheers as the 122-member tri-services contingent of the Indian Army marched past at the National Parade Ground in Dhaka. With Bangladesh rolling out the red carpet for him, Kovind in the evening attended the opening of a programme titled “The Greatest Hero of the Glorious Victory” at Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) complex as part of birth centenary celebrations of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Kovind presented a replica of MIG-21 aircraft whose accurate bombing had precipitated the surrender of Pakistan Army’s Lt Gen AAK Niazi to the Indian Army’s Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Arora.