Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said the Bangladesh-India relationship has seen "transformative changes" reaching a new height with significant achievements through cooperation and collaboration. "Bangladesh attaches the highest importance to its relations with India," he said while speaking at a reception at the 74th Republic Day of India. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma hosted the reception. Momen said the relationship between the two countries led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi created opportunities for robust cooperation to achieve more together. The foreign minister said there are huge untapped opportunities on the trade front for the countries. He said Bangladesh and India have started a discussion on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement which will bring benefits for the two countries. He emphasised peace and stability in the region for further development to benefit all. Momen emphasised synergised efforts and mutually beneficial partnership between Bangladesh and India for the betterment of the lives and livelihoods of the people of the two countries. The foreign minister recalled the crucial role played by the people and government of India during the War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. He enthusiastically called India Bangladesh's closest neighbour – both in terms of bilateral relations and geographical proximity. Momen emphasised that the visit of Sheikh Hasina to India in September last year has added new momentum to the "excellent" bilateral relations already existing between the countries.  Expressing satisfaction over the rapidly growing bilateral trade that increased three-fold during the last decade, he called for enhancing bilateral trade in a balanced manner addressing all trade barriers. He stressed complimenting each other's economy for the prosperity of both countries. Read more: 74th Republic Day of India celebrated in Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said they look forward to working together with India in the next 50 years and beyond towards realising the shared vision of building a peaceful and prosperous region. "The year 2021 was a historic one for the Bangladesh-India relationship, marked by celebrations of epochal events and engagements at the highest levels," she said in a message to her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the occasion of the Republic Day of India. On behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh and on her own behalf, Sheikh Hasina extended her warmest wishes and heartiest felicitations to Modi and the people of India on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day of India. Read: India’s 73rd Republic Day celebrated in city The Prime Minister thankfully recalled Modi's visit to Dhaka in March 2021 to join the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh, the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and 50 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and India.  "Your gracious presence on these occasions had added extra enthusiasm to the celebrations and allowed us to further consolidate our excellent bilateral relations, which so happily exist between our two countries," she said.  Hasina recalled with gratitude the support rendered by the government and the people of India during the Liberation War in 1971 that set the foundation of a unique relationship.  The joint celebration of 'Moitri Dibosh,' across the globe, held on 6th December, the day when India recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent State in 1971, projected this special relationship, she said. Read: Hasina calls for strong vigilance on forces active against Bangladesh "The unique ties of close friendship, cooperation, and trust between our two countries have flourished and grown from strength to strength in recent years. Many new frontiers of cooperation alongside all traditional areas have been identified, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic," Hasina mentioned.  She said, "Let this joyous occasion be a special one, as India is also celebrating 'Azadika Amrit Mahotsav' to mark 75 years of her independence."

Indian High Commissioner Vikram Kumar Doraiswami on Tuesday said they want to restart issuing tourist visa as soon as possible, noting that they are waiting to see the Covid-19 situation is normalised with vaccination in Bangladesh and India.

Tens of thousands of farmers massed on tractors outside the Indian capital as the nation celebrated Republic Day on Tuesday in the backdrop of agricultural protests that have grown into a rebellion and rattled the government.

In a first, a Bangladeshi tri-service contingent led India's Republic Day parade on the iconic Rajpath in the heart of the national capital Tuesday.