Bangladesh and Japan will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries this year with elaborate programmes. The two countries established diplomatic relations on February 10, 1972.  To mark this historic occasion, Bangladesh and Japan have decided to organise various events in Dhaka and Tokyo to further strengthen bilateral partnership.  Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the State guesthouse Padma on Wednesday to discuss the events and other issues of common interest.  The Foreign Minister recognised Japan as a long-trusted friend of Bangladesh and a proven development partner.  READ: Dhaka, Tokyo to bring more opportunities of partnership in 2021, beyond: Naoki He recalled the unwavering Japanese support for the cause of independence of Bangladesh as well as Japanese development cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries.  Both sides recalled the historic official visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan in October 1973, which laid the rock-solid foundation of the bilateral relations between the two countries.  The Japanese Ambassador shared that the Embassy of Japan in Dhaka would publish a commemorative photo book on the historic visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan on the auspicious occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two countries.  Commemorative coins will be issued by the Bangladesh Bank on February 10 and made available at Motijheel central office and Taka Museum, Mirpur. He reiterated the government of Japan’s support for an early repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh to their ancestral homes in Myanmar and their relocation to Bhasan Char from Cox’s Bazar camps.  The Foreign Minister urged Japan to use her influence to persuade Myanmar to create a conducive environment in Myanmar and facilitate safe return of the Rohingyas to the Rakhine State.  READ: Dhaka, Tokyo sign MoC for recruiting specified skilled workers to Japan He appreciated Japan’s contributions to the infrastructure development in Bangladesh and sought more Japanese investments.  The Japanese Ambassador assured that Japanese as well as international investors would be setting up their factories in the Araihazar Economic Zone from early next year.  He requested the Foreign Minister to ease customs and related issues to facilitate more Japanese investments in Bangladesh.  Foreign Minister Momen assured to look into the issues.

India has announced the establishment of Bangabandhu Chair at the University of Delhi. In view of the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh as well as the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, both sides have agreed to jointly commemorate these epochal events in 19 select countries. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked the Indian side 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. Also read: Bangabandhu chair to be established at RU in Mujib Borsho Both sides looked forward to inaugurating the road soon as part of the joint celebrations, according to joint statement. 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 two countries 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. Also read:  Bangabandhu Chair to be established in University of Brasilia in Mujib Year Both sides stressed on the need to commence work on the Liberation War documentary at the earliest. Prime Minister Narendra 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. To mark the 50th anniversary of India-Bangladesh friendship, both sides released respective commemorative postage stamps. It was decided to commemorate 06 December as Maitri Diwas, the day when India recognized Bangladesh in the year 1971. Also read: Establishment of Bangabandhu Chair proposed in Netherlands Indian Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to 50 young entrepreneurs from Bangladesh to visit India to connect with the start up and innovation ecosystems in India and meet the venture capitalists.

The Walt Disney Archives will kick off a grand exhibition on Saturday in celebration of its 50th anniversary, organizers said in a press briefing on Thursday.