A joint statement said Prime Minister Modi and Sheikh Hasina paid “solemn tribute” to the “martyrs” of the 1971 war.
New Delhi:
India appeared to back up recent comments by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday that Pakistan cannot be forgiven for the atrocities it unleashed during the 1971 liberation war.
Deputy Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Smita Pant told a press conference that India deeply respects and understands the sentiments expressed by Prime Minister Hasina.
“It cannot be denied that the state sponsored oppression against Bangladesh’s just liberation war resulted in the deaths of 3 million people. More than 2,00,000 women were raped and tortured. We deeply respect and understand the sentiments expressed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, “he added. Pant said at the press conference when asked about the comments of the prime minister of Bangladesh.
The deputy secretary of MEA’s Bangladesh and Myanmar division briefed the media on the outcome of Thursday’s virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ms Hasina.
She made the comment when the Pakistani High Commissioner in Bangladesh Imran Ahmed Siddiqui called her, according to Bangladeshi media reports.
On Wednesday, India celebrated “Vijay Diwas” marking the surrender of around 93,000 Pakistani soldiers to the joint forces of the Indian Army and the “Mukti Bahini” on December 16, 1971, which led to the birth of Bangladesh. Bangladesh celebrates December 16 as “Bijoy Dibosh”.
“It is a source of pride for us to celebrate the historic victory of Bangladesh over the anti-liberation forces. Today, as Bangladesh celebrates 49 years of independence, I pay tribute to the armed forces personnel of both countries who left their lives,” he said Prime Minister Modi at the virtual summit.
In her remarks, Ms Hasina spoke about India’s role in liberating Bangladesh and particularly highlighted how Major Ashok Tara from the Indian Army rescued her family, including her mother and sister, from Pakistani forces on 17 December 1971.
“December 17th is a special day for me as it was the day that Ashok Tara, a commander at the time, rescued my mother, my sister, my brother from the hands of Pakistani forces … Bangladesh he was released on December 16, but we were free on December 17, “said Ms. Hasina.
A joint statement said that both Prime Minister Modi and Ms Hasina paid a “solemn tribute” to the “martyrs” of Bangladesh’s liberation war for their great sacrifices in 1971.
He said that they pledged to defend and protect the cherished values of democracy and equality in accordance with the aspirations of the peoples of the two friendly countries.
“They stressed that the relations between Bangladesh and India are based on brotherly ties and reflect a global partnership based on sovereignty, equality, trust and understanding that transcends strategic partnership,” he said.
The two prime ministers also jointly released a commemorative postage stamp issued by India to mark the centenary of the birth of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of Bangladesh.
Noting that the year 2021 will be historic in relations between India and Bangladesh, since it would commemorate the 50th anniversary of the war and the establishment of diplomatic relations, it was agreed to jointly organize several activities to commemorate these two “momentous” events in India, Bangladesh and third countries, the statement said.
Responding to a question, Ms. Pant said that India and Bangladesh have strong defense cooperation. He said that India delivered 18 mortars for the use of the Bangladesh armed forces on the occasion of Vijay Divas.
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