Dhaka, Dec 16: India on Tuesday extended greetings to Bangladesh on the occasion of Victory Day (Bijoy Dibosh), commemorating the Liberation War of 1971, as the two countries reaffirmed their shared history through the annual exchange of war veterans and serving military officers.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar conveyed his wishes to Bangladesh’s Interim Government and its people, saying, “Greetings to Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, the Interim Government and the people of Bangladesh on Bijoy Dibosh.”
As part of the long-standing tradition, eight Indian war veterans and two serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces arrived in Dhaka to participate in Victory Day celebrations. In a reciprocal gesture, eight Bangladeshi freedom fighters (Muktijoddhas) and two serving officers travelled to Kolkata to take part in India’s Vijay Diwas observances.
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka said the exchange visits provide a platform for Bangladeshi Muktijoddhas and Indian war veterans to celebrate the unique friendship between the two nations and to renew memories of the Liberation War. It noted that the 1971 struggle epitomised the shared sacrifices of the armed forces of Bangladesh and India in securing Bangladesh’s freedom from occupation, oppression and mass atrocities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a message marking Vijay Diwas, paid tribute to the soldiers who fought in the 1971 war. “On Vijay Diwas, we remember the brave soldiers whose courage and sacrifice ensured India had a historic victory in 1971,” he said, adding that their steadfast resolve had etched a moment of pride in the nation’s history.
President Droupadi Murmu also honoured the armed forces, recalling their courage and devotion to the motherland. She highlighted the Indian Army’s self-reliance and strategic resolve, citing recent operations as examples of its preparedness and modern warfare capabilities.
The Indian Army, in an official post, described Vijay Diwas as a symbol of the historic and decisive victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the 1971 war. It recalled that the Mukti Bahini and Indian forces fought shoulder-to-shoulder, a triumph that reshaped South Asia and led to the birth of Bangladesh.
The 1971 war concluded in just 13 days with the surrender of about 93,000 Pakistani soldiers, one of the largest military surrenders in history. Observances on both sides this year once again underscored the enduring diplomatic, military and historical ties between India and Bangladesh.
