India and Bangladesh completed 50 years of their friendship today. In a tweet, PM Narendra Modi wrote about the India-Bangladesh Friendship Day. He tweeted, "Our friendship has completed 50 years and I am working with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to further strengthen our relationship."
India recognised Bangladesh as an independent country on December 6, 1971. In a tweet, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "Today marks the 50th anniversary of the friendship between India and independent and sovereign Bangladesh. India was one of the first countries to establish bilateral diplomatic ties with Bangladesh on December 6, 1971."
Bagchi further said, "Maitri forged in shared martyrdom during the Liberation War, has traversed a 50 year journey towards scripting Shonali Adhyaya in bilateral relations. This year both countries jointly celebrate #MaitriDiwasunder the leadership of PM @narendramodi & PM Sheikh Hasina.."
India had recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign state on December 6, 1971, 10 days before Bangladesh's independence. Friendship Day is celebrated with 18 countries of the world, besides Dhaka and New Delhi. These countries include Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, Singapore, UK, Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE and the United States.
The statement said, "Friendship day is a glimpse of the deepening friendship between the people of India and Bangladesh, including a sense of sacrifice."