India recognised Bangladesh on December 6, 1971 and was one of the first countries to establish bilateral diplomatic ties with Bangladesh (Photo Credit: United News of India)
India's contribution towards the liberation of Bangladesh is well known. Celebration of the Maitri Diwas would be another crucial chapter in the ties between two neighbours.
New Delhi: The stage to celebrate India and Bangladesh's Maitri Diwas or Friendship Day is set on December 6. MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi said that during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh in March 2021, it was decided to commemorate December 6 as the Maitri Diwas or the Friendship Day.
"Ten days before the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, India had recognised Bangladesh on December 6, 1971. India was one of the first countries to establish bilateral diplomatic ties with Bangladesh," he said.
The Maitri Diwas will be commemorated in 18 countries worldwide, apart from Dhaka and New Delhi. These countries are Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, Singapore, UK, Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE and USA.
"The holding of Maitri Diwas is a reflection of the deep and abiding friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh that has been forged in blood and shared sacrifices," he said at the weekly briefing on Thursday. A special event on December 6 in New Delhi will see participation from both countries.
India's stand on PoK
India on Thursday said the decision of Pakistani authorities to upgrade the Skardu Airport and make it operational for international flights would be "interference in India's internal matters."
"I would not like to speak about any specific development in detail. You know our position and stand on Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). It is an interference in our internal matters," MEA spokesman Bagchi said in reply to a question. He, however, said – "I don't want to comment on any specific development except that our position over this has been clear."
According to reports from Pakistan, the status of the Skardu Airport has been 'upgraded', and it will start operating as an international airport. Indian forces carried the Skardu airbase raid out on December 17, 1971, during the war of liberation of Bangladesh. The airbase is in PoK, and Indian government sources have said earlier that care was taken to ensure that only the runway was bombed.
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