Speakers at a virtual event of celebration on Friday night highly appreciated Bangladesh’s remarkable journey with its rapidly growing economy and described how Bangladesh becomes an inspiration for other countries around the world.

Terming Bangladesh a “huge development success story”, they highlighted the efforts that transformed people’s lives and recalled the role of Bangladesh on climate issues being at the forefront of innovation apart from Bangladesh’s greater contribution to global peace and stability.

The speakers depicted a brighter future of Bangladesh-UK relations and appreciated Bangladesh’s generosity in hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas despite its own socioeconomic challenges.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, MP, Minister for South Asia, the United Nations and the Commonwealth at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Lord Ahmad, Chair of the APPG on Bangladesh and UK’s Trade Envoy for Bangladesh Rushanara Ali MP and Development Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in Bangladesh Judith Herbertson, among others, spoke at the commemorative event titled “Bangladesh-UK at 50: A Friendship in Prosperity.”

Bangladesh High Commission in London hosted the event to mark the 50 years of establishment of Bangladesh-United Kingdom diplomatic relations with High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem in the chair.

Speaking at the function, State Minister Shahriar Alam, on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government, reiterated their abiding commitment to embolden the shared values with the UK, strengthen the fundamental pillars of the historic relations and carry forward the robust political, economic, security and climate partnerships into the next 50 years.

Fifty years ago, the UK's recognition of the new State of Bangladesh was geo-politically significant – a move that encouraged other Western countries to follow suit at the height of the Cold War, he said.

The State Minister paid his deepest homage to the architect of independence and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and recalled his diplomatic overture at No. 10 Downing Street with British Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath in securing on 08 January 1972, UK’s commitment for early recognition of a post-liberation Bangladesh.

He also paid a special tribute to former British Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath, who officially received Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib as the President of independent Bangladesh even before his return to Bangladesh from his captivity in Pakistan.

Fifty years later, he said, the Bangladesh-UK relations continue to grow from strength to strength, guided by the same progressive values carried forward by Bangabandhu’s able successor Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“We had found Britain on our side in supporting Bangabandhu’s post-war rebuilding efforts with humanitarian and development aid. We count on Britain as a partner in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s efforts to turn Bangladesh into one of Asia’s fastest growing economies and a stabilizing force in the region,” Shahriar said.

He said Bangladesh encourages the UK’s sustained engagement with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). “We attach importance to the symbolic strength of the Commonwealth that captures the past, present and future of our enduring and evolving ties.”

Earlier, two cakes were cut at the virtual event as on this day (Feb 4), 50 years ago, the UK and Bangladesh established a diplomatic relationship.

"Bangabandhu gave us political freedom. We are on our way to attain economic emancipation," said High Commissioner Tasneem.

She welcomed the UK’s interest in enhancing the partnership in education, culture, research and innovation.

"A key to Bangladesh’s forward march is unlocking the potentials of our women and girls," said the envoy.

The High Commissioner said they are already investing in road, rail, maritime, energy and digital connectivity in the region, especially with India, Nepal and Bhutan.

"Our partners around the world stand to benefit from these investments. We wish to see the UK’s added footprints in these domains," she said.

Indeed, the envoy said, it is time for a ‘reset’ in Bangladesh-UK bilateral relations.

"We need to change the traditional lens we use to view our partnership. Our engagements should now be truly strategic, and draw on our cooperation in peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, maritime and aviation security," she added.