‘Ties with Dhaka deeper than any other strategic partnership’

Bengaluru, Oct 23 (PTI):
Foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Saturday said India remains a committed partner in Bangladesh’s economic growth and prosperity, and the relationship between two countries is deeper than any other strategic partnership. “Today India-Bangladesh relations have matured over the years, the two pillars of Indian diplomacy- the neighbourhood first and act east- finds expression in our vibrant ties with Bangladesh,” Shringla said. In his video address to the Indian Air Force Conclave here, he said India-Bangladesh relationship today in many ways is the continuation of the events that defined the course 50 years ago, during the liberation of that country. “Muktijoddhas (freedom fighters of Bangladesh liberation) are still the bridge between our two countries… regular exchanges between the security forces of our two countries is a reflection of our shared security considerations. India remains a committed partner in Bangladesh’s economic growth and prosperity, and in their social indicators,” he added. The Foreign Secretary was speaking at the ongoing three-day IAF Conclave at Yelahanka Air Force Station here, to commemorate 50-years of victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war that gave birth to Bangladesh as a country, which is being celebrated this year as ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’. Highlighting that Bangladesh is India’s biggest development and a largest trading partner in South Asia contributing to economic prosperity and supply chain resilience in the region and beyond, he said comprehensive connectivity is the key to this partnership. “India-Bangladesh relations today are deeper than any other strategic partnership, it is a role model to the relationship between two neighbouring countries. The spirit of friendship, understanding and mutual respect engendered during the liberation of Bangladesh still permeates different aspects of the relationship,” he added. On the humanitarian, political and diplomatic aspects of the events that led to the liberation of Bangladesh, Shringla said the shared history of sacrifice and courage has shaped the current day’s close and multifaceted partnership between India and that country. “1971 was as much a moral and political victory, as it was a decisive military victory for India. We stood on a high moral ground and history proved us right, as the people of Bangladesh vindicated their self respect and honour and fought their war for freedom and human rights,” he said. “1971 was indeed a war for justice over cruel tyranny, a quest for hope in the midst of despair, and catharsis achieved through “Dharma Yudha.”  Terming the military operation carried out by the Pakistan Army in an effort to curb the Bengali nationalist movement in former East Pakistan in March 1971 as an act of “calculated genoside”, Shringla who had served as Ambassador to Bangladesh, highlighted the massive humanitarian challenge faced by India as millions fled from there and crossed over to escape persecution.