New Delhi: Ties with India are “deep and multi-layered” said Riaz Hamidullah, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh in New Delhi Monday, while paying homage to the 1,668 Indian soldiers killed during the 1971 Liberation War. Hamidullah was speaking at the celebration of the Bangladesh Armed Forces Day here.
Lieutenant-General Manish Luthra, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army was the chief guest at the event that marked a significant chapter in ties between New Delhi and Dhaka.
“I do recall the valued contributions of the 1,668 Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1971 war. I acknowledge the surviving war veterans of India, some of whom are present in our midst. No less should we pay homage to countless ordinary women, men and families in India, especially in Tripura and West Bengal, who endured so much and shared millions of Bangladeshis’ agony during the war,” Hamidullah said.
The Bangladesh Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 21 November—the day the Army, Navy and Air Force together formed the Armed Forces of Bangladesh in 1971 to liberate the country from Pakistani occupation.
The celebration of the Armed Forces Day this year comes at a time ties between New Delhi and Dhaka have been particularly cold. On 17 November, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-B) sentenced former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina to death for ‘crimes against humanity’ for her actions last year to suppress the student demonstrations.
Hasina fled Dhaka and is currently in New Delhi. Dhaka has pushed for Hasina’s extradition, with the latest diplomatic note being sent to New Delhi last Friday. Last week, the National Security Adviser of Bangladesh Khalilur Rahman travelled to New Delhi for the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) as well as held a bilateral meeting with India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
Rahman’s visit was the second by a senior official from Bangladesh this year. The last visit was in February when the energy adviser of Bangladesh travelled to New Delhi for the India Energy Week. India has taken note of the Hasina verdict, but has remained non-committal on the request for extradition.
Hamidullah, however, pointed to the India-Bangladesh ties that are “embedded in mutual respect and trust”.
“In a widespread relationship between two large populations and seamless geography, there have been challenges. Often, sensitive issues as well. Yet, Bangladesh has consistently relied on conversation and negotiation, driven by pragmatism and believing in a shared future,” added Hamidullah.
The 1971 Liberation War witnessed India’s involvement from 3 December till 16 December. The third war between India and Pakistan saw the surrender of the Pakistani military in the east, and a ceasefire agreement in the west. The surrender of East Pakistan led to the independence of Bangladesh and the return of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Dhaka.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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