New Delhi: On completion of his three-day visit to Bangladesh, President Ram Nath Kovind left Dhaka on Friday. During his trip, President Kovind held bilateral meetings and several key announcements were made for India-Bangladesh ties.
"Wrapping up an action-packed 2021 for India-Bangladesh ties! President Kovind @rashtrapatibhvn emplanes for Delhi after completing a historic visit that coincided with celebrations of 50 years of Bangladesh Liberation, Mujib Borsho and 50 years of Flag of IndiaFlag of Bangladesh diplomatic relations," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.
It was at the invitation of the President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid, President Kovind paid a State Visit to Bangladesh from December 15 to 17, 2021, to attend the 50th Vijay Diwas celebrations in Bangladesh, as the Guest of Honour.
This was the President’s maiden visit to Bangladesh and also his first visit overseas since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr Subhas Sarkar, Minister of State for Education and MP Rajdeep Roy were part of the delegation accompanying the President.
The visit is of historical significance given the 50th anniversary of the shared sacrifices of the people of the two countries during Bangladesh’s struggle for liberation in 1971, said a statement issued by MEA.
Several key announcements were made during President Kovind's visit to Bangladesh, including the gifting of the Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition to the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka; announcement of the first occupant of the Bangabandhu Chair at Delhi University; extension of the Nutan India- Bangladesh Maitree Muktijoddha Sontan Scholarship Scheme for a period of five years.
A 1971-era MiG-21 aircraft was gifted to the National Museum of Bangladesh. A replica of the aircraft was handed over by the President to the President of Bangladesh.
India’s relationship with Bangladesh is one of the main pillars of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East Policies’. India and Bangladesh enjoy robust and multifaceted bilateral cooperation in diverse areas, including trade and connectivity, energy and power, water resources, border management, defence and security, culture and people-to-people links, the MEA statement read.
The visit of the President of India to Bangladesh on the historic occasion of the 50th Vijay Diwas is testimony to the high priority that both countries attach to each other and their desire to further strengthen this relationship based on shared values, mutual trust and understanding, it further said.
