Dhaka, December 16 (IANS). Eight Indian military veterans of Bangladesh’s 1971 liberation war arrived in Dhaka, while eight Bangladesh Army officers arrived in Kolkata to attend Victory Day celebrations in both countries.
Bangladeshi officials and the Indian High Commission in Dhaka said two serving officers each from both sides are part of the delegation, which will participate in the ceremonies in Dhaka and Kolkata.
The Bangladesh delegation included liberation warriors, who were part of the guerrilla resistance force in East Pakistan opposing Pakistani rule there.
The Victory Day celebrations and the visit of delegations from the two countries come amid tensions over alleged violence against the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in a student-led rebellion on August 5. . Hasina has fled the country and has taken refuge in India.
The interim government of Mohammad Yunus has clearly denied any major communal violence. The share of Hindus in the population of Bangladesh is about eight percent.
“The exchange of visits by ex-servicemen is a reminder of the friendship formed in 1971,” said a political analyst in Dhaka.
He said tensions in bilateral relations eased to some extent after Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met his counterpart Jashim Uddin on December 9, as he also met Yunus and his Foreign Minister Tauheed Hussain.
“Now the visits of the dignitaries are expected to reflect the goodwill of the two countries towards each other,” the analyst said.
Both India and Bangladesh celebrate the victory over Pakistan on December 16, 1971, and every year each other’s war veterans and serving officers are invited to participate in the celebrations in both countries.
Bangladesh celebrates its Independence Day on March 26, but Dhaka emerged as the independent capital of an independent country on December 16 with Indian support after a nine-month liberation war.
“These annual bilateral visits provide a platform to the liberation warriors and liberation war veterans to celebrate the unique friendship of the two countries,” the Indian High Commission said in a statement.
It said the occasion refreshes the memories of the liberation war, symbolizing the shared sacrifice of the armed forces of India and Bangladesh for the freedom of Bangladesh from occupation, oppression and mass atrocities.
Vijay Diwas is not just a celebration of military success, but also a reminder of India’s commitment to justice and human values. This war demonstrated India’s ability to stand up for an oppressed population and respond decisively to aggression. It also strengthened India’s position as a regional power and highlighted the importance of military preparedness and strategic diplomacy.
In Bangladesh this day is celebrated as Victory Day, a national holiday commemorating their liberation. The shared history of 16 December emphasizes the enduring bond between India and Bangladesh.
–IANS
AKS/AS
