Improve Bangladesh-India relations: Speakers

Speakers at a seminar-webinar titled, "India-Bangladesh: Fifty Years of Friendship," today called for further enhancement of relations between the two countries which should work for maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The event was organized by the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) at the India International Centre at Max Mueller Marg in New Delhi to commemorate the 50 Years of India-Bangladesh Friendship as well as the decisive victory in the India- Pakistan War 1971.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Mohammad Imran and former Bangladesh Army chief Lt Gen (Retd) M Harun-Ar-Rashid, also a Bir Protik, and Indian Army chief Gen M M Naravane, also patron of CLAWS, participated as chief guests.

They spoke about the progress in Bangladesh-India relations and reiterated the need for stronger diplomatic and defence ties, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"They were of the view that both the countries must work towards ensuring peace and stability in the region. The former chief of army staff, being one of the war veterans of the 1971 war, recalled the days and encouraged the need to train the armed forces with the state-of-art technology," a statement issued by the Indian Defence Ministry said.

The seminar-webinar focused on the enhancement of India-Bangladesh bilateral relations. Measures like, tourism and common culture as soft power diplomatic tools, need for improved infrastructural connectivity, and economic integration were some of the topics of discussion.

The seminar also dealt with the fact that, increased bilateral ties bring along increased challenges and that both the countries should be ready to meet such challenges jointly and with patience.

The Indian army chief said India-Bangladesh friendship "is a tribute to the collective will of the Bangla People who stood for their right to liberty and independence."

A book titled "Bangladesh Liberation@50 Years: Bijoy' with Synergy: India-Pakistan War 1971" was also released on the occasion.

The book is a mixture of historical and anecdotal accounts of the 1971 war and comprises authors from both India and Bangladesh, including many who actually fought the war.

During the "Reflections about the War segment," Shamsher Chowdhury, former foreign secretary of Bangladesh, shared his experience of fighting the war and being a prisoner of war with the Pakistan army. He also revealed the atrocities and the torture that Bangladeshi PoWs had to undergo in the hands of the Pakistani forces.

The book release was followed by award ceremony when Scholar-Warrior Award was awarded by to Brigadier Narender Kumar, a visiting fellow of CLAWS, for his outstanding contribution as a warrior and in the field of research.