State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam today left for India via Sonamasjid Land Port in Chapainawabganj to join Bangladesh-India Friendship Day celebrations in Kolkata.

Bangladesh and India are celebrating the "Maitri Diwas" this year, marking India's recognition of independent Bangladesh on December 6.

The two countries organised events in 18 capital cities of the world.

On the occasion of the country's Golden Jubilee of Independence, the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the Friendship Day, Shahriar is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Sister Nivedita University on December 11, according to the foreign ministry.

He will also attend the launching ceremony of two books "Bangladesh @50" edited by Maj (Retd) ASM Shamsul Arefin and "Bangabandhu for You" edited by Satyam Roy Chowdhury to be organised by the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.