Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Monday hosted a reception and cultural programme at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre as part of the first Bangladesh-India Friendship Day. Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhary graced the occasion as the chief guest. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami was present. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, senior representatives from the government of Bangladesh including Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, the Chief of the Army Staff, Secretaries to the Government, senior officials, IGP of Police, leaders of business and industry, media, academia and civil society were present. Bangladeshi nationals selected for India’s highest civilian honours, in the years 2020 and 2021, were specially invited and felicitated in presence of the august gathering. Also read: Bangladesh to get increased cooperation from India: Shringla The day marks the recognition of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh, by India and Bhutan, fifty years ago – ten days before Bangladesh was actually liberated.

Bangladesh High Commission and Indian High Commission in Canberra, Australia on Monday jointly celebrated "Maitri Diwas" (Friendship Day) and Golden Jubilee of Independence of Bangladesh. On this historic day in 1971 India recognized Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent state which was designated as Bangladesh-India Friendship Day. At the outset the guests observed one minute silence in honour of all Martyred who sacrificed their lives in liberation war in 1971. Also read: December 6: "Maitri Diwas" to reflect deep, abiding friendship between Dhaka, Delhi A video clip on Bangladesh’s heritage as well as social, economic and cultural linkages between Bangladesh and India was also screened.

Terming December 6 a historic day, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday said Bangladesh and India have created a model of relationship by resolving major issues peacefully. “It’s historic day and truly Maitri Diwas (Friendship Day). We’ve (Bangladesh-India) created model relations (for other countries),” he said at a discussion organized by Sector Commanders Forum (SCF) at the Jatiya Press Club. Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar spoke as special guest. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami, Bhutan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Rinchen Kuentsyl, former diplomat Mohiuddin Ahmed and SCF Secretary General Haroon Habib, among others, spoke at the discussion held with SCF chief M Nurul Alam in the chair. The Foreign Minister profoundly recalled the wholehearted support extended by the people of India and the Indian government during the 1971 Liberation War. Dr Momen said he is eagerly waiting for the day when no visa will be required for Bangladeshis and Indians to travel to each other's countries. "Our relationship is written in blood and we want to deepen it," he said. Read:Let’s dream of a better world, FM Momen tells peace conference  He recalled with utmost respect the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on this historic day. Dr Momen also remembered the brave freedom fighters of Bangladesh and the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for Bangladesh's Independence in 1971. Bangladesh and India are celebrating the Maitri Diwas, the historic day when India, as the second country, recognized Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent state in 1971 after Bhutan. The day has been designated by the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India as Bangladesh-India Friendship Day in March 2021. Speaking as the chief guest at the discussion, Dr Momen said it was not the India-Pakistan war that Pakistan tried to interpret.