Bangladesh has lost a true friend: PM Shiekh Hasina mourns Pranab's demise

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sad demise of Pranab Mukherjee, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh has lost a true friend who was highly revered and loved by the people of Bangladesh.

New Delhi: Expressing grief over the demise of the Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh has lost a true friend.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Hasina said, “Pranab Mukherjee was a true friend of Bangladesh. He has always been highly revered and loved by the people of Bangladesh. His steadfast support and contribution in strengthening the relations between the two countries, especially during his tenure as the 13th President of India will always be remembered too with the deepest respect”.

Remembering Mukherjee’s contribution to the Liberation War, Sheikh Hasina recalled that in 2013, in recognition of the luminary, the Government of Bangladesh conferred on him “Bangladesh Muktijuddho Sommamona “ (Liberation War Honour) for his valuable contribution to Bangladesh’s Liberation War of 1971.

Mukherjee passed away on Monday, 21 days after it was confirmed that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. The 84-year-old was in the hospital to remove a clot in his brain when it was discovered he also had COVID-19.

Describing Mukherjee as a veteran politician of the subcontinent and as a true friend, Prime Minister Hasina said that Mukherjee was always supportive while she was in exile in India after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman on August 15, 1975.

“As a renowned scholar and statesman of India, and a highly esteemed leader of South Asia, Pranab Mukherjee commanded the respect and admiration of all. The tireless work of ‘Bharat Ratna’ Pranab Mukherjee for the welfare of the people of India will inspire the future generation of leaders not only in India but across countries in the region”, she added.

He will remain as a shining star in the politics of Soth Asia, said the PM of Bangladesh.

She prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed her deep sympathies to the members of the bereaved family.