Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said Bangladesh is looking forward to elevating relations with Australia to a new height as key partners for the benefit of people and economies as well as to secure a peaceful and prosperous Indian Ocean region in the days to come.

"Australia has been a trusted partner in our journey towards attaining socioeconomic development; our relationship is based on our shared commitment to peace, pluralism, and dignity of people," she said in a message as the two countries celebrate 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. 

The Prime Minister said it is satisfying that trade and economic interactions are deepening, and engagements on education, agriculture, energy and people-to-people contact are gaining traction. 

There is immense opportunity to boost bilateral engagement on COVID-19 recovery, investment and services, technology and innovation and to forge meaningful partnership to face regional and global challenges such as climate change, forced displacement of people and regional security, she said.

On this auspicious occasion marking fifty years of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Australia, the Prime Minister conveyed warmest greetings on behalf of the Government and people of Bangladesh and on her own behalf to the Government and friendly people of Australia. 

She recalled with gratitude Australia's prompt recognition of an independent Bangladesh in January 1972. 

"Australian assistance in the reconstruction of the war-ravaged Bangladesh and continuous socio-economic support in the following decades have been immensely valuable to Bangladesh," said the Prime Minister.

She said Bangladesh has attained remarkable progress over the five decades since independence and succeeded to a great extent in alleviating poverty, empowering people, and creating an inclusive society. 

"We seek to consolidate our position in the comity of nations as a prosperous modern economy, responsible country, practicing democracy, building and keeping peace, and promoting rules based international order," said the Prime Minister.