Outgoing Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami has said India wants Bangladesh to be happy, prosperous and successful in its democratic journey.
“Your democracy is for you (Bangladeshis) to develop,” he told reporters at National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar today.
The Indian diplomat said he is not here to say that they will support this person or that person, noting that this is not a place to talk about politics.
Read: Doraiswami: PM Hasina’s India visit "extremely successful" with "strong deliverables"
“The relationship (Bangladesh-India) is strong….we will always stand with Bangladesh and the people of Bangladesh,” he said on his last day in Bangladesh.
Doraiswami visited the memorial and paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Liberation War of 1971.
He observed a minute-long silence and signed the visitors’ book there after placing the wreath.
“In everlasting memory of those who laid down their lives so that Bangladesh could live,” reads the message written on the wreath on behalf of the High Commissioner and all personnel.
The diplomat said India's relationship with Bangladesh is now stronger with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent visit to India.
Read: Under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, India-Bangladesh ties will reach new heights: Doraiswami
He said the people of Bangladesh are very good-hearted people. “As a result, I have performed my duties well in this country so far.”
Doraiswami, who has been appointed as High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, is scheduled to leave Bangladesh tomorrow.
Earlier at a farewell reception on Thursday evening, Doraiswami said Bangladesh-India relationship is like a “train” and that train must keep moving to do more great things together.
Read "Bangladesh-India are connected through the heart"
Doraiswami said people of Bangladesh and India are connected through souls and hearts, and it is stronger than blood ties. “We always have faith in that connection.”