India has announced to set up a ‘Bangabandhu Chair’ after the name of Bangladesh’s founding father at the University of Delhi as both the countries decided to celebrate the historical links between the countries jointly in 19 select countries.
Those historic links include 50 years of Bangladesh, 50 years of India and Bangladesh ties and birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
It was decided to commemorate December 6 as Maitri Diwas, the day when India recognised Bangladesh in the year 1971, according to the joint statement.
This was discussed and finalised at the bilateral meeting between the two Prime Ministers – Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi – on Saturday.
Modi was in Dhaka to celebrate those occasions as a guest of honour.
During the bilateral meeting, Modi highlighted that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, one of the greatest leaders of modern times, will be remembered for his courage and indelible contribution to Bangladesh’s emergence as a sovereign country.
He also recalled the contribution of Bangabandhu in nurturing peace, security and development in the region.
Hasina thanked India for conferring Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020 on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in recognition of his outstanding contributions towards social, economic and political transformation of Bangladesh through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.
Both Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the ‘Bangabandhu – Bapu’ Digital Exhibition in Dhaka, which celebrates the life and legacy of these iconic leaders. The two Prime Ministers affirmed that the legacy and ideals of the two great leaders – Bangabandhu and Mahatma Gandhi - would continue to inspire the people worldwide, particularly the youth, against oppression.
To mark the 50th anniversary of India-Bangladesh friendship, both sides released respective commemorative postage stamps.
Both sides noted with satisfaction that the filming of the biopic on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under the direction of Indian film director Shyam Benegal, has commenced and is expected to be completed according to schedule. Both sides stressed on the need to commence work on the Liberation War documentary at the earliest.
Both sides noted with appreciation the participation of a 122-member tri-services contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces in the 2020 Republic Day celebrations of India.
Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit India in 2022 in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Both sides welcomed the port call by Indian Naval Ships Sumedha and Kulish on 08-10 March 2021 at Mongla upon the invitation of Bangladesh as part of the commemoration of the epochal occasions. This was the first ever visit to Mongla Port by any Indian Naval Ship. Bangladesh Navy Ship is also scheduled to make port calls at Visakhapatnam as part of the joint celebrations.
The Bangladesh side welcomed the decision of the Government of India to announce 1000 Shuborno Jayanti Scholarships for Bangladeshi students for pursuing education/courses in India.
The Prime Minister also thanked India for considering Bangladesh’s proposal to name the historic road from Mujib Nagar to Nadia on the Bangladesh-India border as "Shadhinota Shorok” commemorating the historic significance of the road during Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
Both sides looked forward to inaugurating the road soon as part of the joint celebrations, according to the joint statement.
