India will stand in support of Bangladesh: Kovind

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has assured President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that India will stand in support of Bangladesh that embodies values that emerge from the Liberation Movement of the country.

He came up with the assurance while wrapping up his three-day visit to Bangladesh, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The Indian president was addressing the Indian community in Dhaka today, which was his last official engagement of the three-day visit to Bangladesh.

"Maintaining Bangladesh's foundational values of a progressive, inclusive, democratic and harmonious society has been one of the major contributions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," Kovind said.

He said the leadership in India and Bangladesh is cognisant of the fact that their growth trajectories are interlinked and that sharing of resources and experiences is the mantra for sustainable development.

The two governments have also ensured that the fundamentals of our economies remain strong and robust, Kovind said, adding "our two sides have also made strong commitments to make our growth inclusive, sustainable, and environment-friendly".

Kovind pointed out that there is "huge potential" in strengthening the bilateral cooperation further in the areas of green energy and clean technology.

He said India, which also shares land borders with Bhutan and Nepal, is conscious of the fact that a well-connected and better-integrated sub-region is important for achieving a better standard of living for our people and meeting their growth and developmental aspirations.

"In this spirit, India remains committed to assisting Bangladesh in its journey towards a strong economy, partnering with you as you proceed to greater prosperity," Kovind said, urging the business communities of the two countries to seize the opportunity to enhance trade and economic linkages to new heights especially between Bangladesh and India's northeastern region.

He said, "Bangladesh has a special place in the hearts of Indians. Ours is a uniquely close relationship based on age-old ties of kinship, shared language and culture. Our ties have been nurtured by the sagacious leadership of the two countries".

He recalled that while paying homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at his home in Dhanmondi 32, he was reminded of the declaration of independence that Bangabandhu had issued in Dhaka on March 26, 1971, the atrocities and genocide faced by the people of Bangladesh and the armed struggle of the Mukti Bahini against the brutal Pakistani occupation forces.

"I pay my respect to the tens of thousands of women whose dignity was violated, and the helpless civilians who were tortured and executed for no fault except their desire to live an honourable life," he added.

According to Kovind, as Bangladesh today becomes a model of growth and development in the region, it has proven to the world that the fight of the people of Bangladesh (during the liberation war) was for a just cause.

"This fight was for fundamental democratic rights and that the emergence of Bangladesh was indeed the power of right defeating the power of might," the president said.

He added the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the Liberation War, birth centenary of Bangabandhu, 50th anniversary of bilateral friendship, and 75th anniversary of India's independence provided an opportunity for working towards "fulfilling the dreams of the founding fathers of our nations".

"I am confident that the bond forged by blood and sacrifice in 1971 will continue to bind our nations together," Kovind said.

The Indian president, who earlier in the day inaugurated Ramna Kali temple, said the shrine "is a symbol of the spiritual and cultural bonding among the people of India and Bangladesh. This marked an auspicious finale to my visit to Bangladesh."