Bangkok, 7 December 2021:
As part of the programmes to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bangladesh-India Friendship, the Embassy of Bangladesh and the Embassy of India in Bangkok co-hosted a reception at the Hotel Anantara Siam, Bangkok on Tuesday, the 7th December 2021. The reception was attended by the dignitaries from the Government of Thailand, members of the diplomatic corps, eminent business personalities, media personalities and academia. The reception started with the royal anthems of Thailand and the national anthems of Bangladesh and India.
At the outset Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand Mr. Mohammed Abdul Hye and Ambassador of India to Thailand Ms. Suchitra Durai delivered their welcome remarks. Bangladesh Ambassador Mr. Mohammed Abdul Hye, in his remarks, reflected on the exemplary support of the Indian leadership and the friendly people of India during Bangladesh's war of liberation in 1971. He recalled with deep tribute, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the former Prime Minister Srimati Indira Gandhi who were involved in making the history of mankind for democracy and freedom in the subcontinent. He alsopaid homage to those from Indian Army and Bangladesh forces who shed their blood for our liberation. The bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India further deepened under the leadership of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi through historic joint development programmes, added Ambassador Hye. He quoted from the statement delivered at Indian parliament by Srimati Indira Gandhi while recognizing Bangladesh on the 6thDecember 1971 "thus working together for democracy and freedom we shall set an example of good neibourliness which alone can ensure peace stability and progress in our region".
Indian Ambassador Suchitra Durai, in her remarks covered from the historical bonding between the two countries to the present mature bilateral relations based on shared history, culture and people to people contact. She highlighted the areas of cooperation of the two countries ranging from security, counter terrorism, connectivity to water, cultural etc. including the future possibilities in the horizon. Indian Ambassador added that the extra-ordinary height of bilateral relations has been achieved under the two visionary Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi. Later two Ambassadors along with Mrs.ChulamaneeChartsuan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand cut a cake to mark the celebration.
The guests enjoyed the special documentary dedicated to mark the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence and the 50thanniversary of Bangladesh-India Friendship. A cultural programme by the local Bangladeshi and Indian artists was lauded by the audience.
A photo exhibition on the 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh highlighting shared cultural links, development projects, and connectivity was also organised on the sidelines of the event.
To commemorate the MaitriDiwas, the Embassy of Bangladesh and Embassy of India had jointly hosted a panel discussion entitled “The Perpetual Bond between India and Bangladesh and its
Implications on the Integration of BIMSTEC” last Friday at the Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok in hybrid format. Members of academia, students, diplomats and media attended the panel discussion. The event was streamed live through the facebook pages of the respective Embassies.
The panel discussion was moderated by Assistant Professor Surat Horachaikul of the Department of International Relations, Faculty of Political Science & Director, Indian Studies Center of Chulalongkorn University. Mr. Subash Dasgupta, former senior technical officer, Food and Agriculture Organisation focused on the agricultural cooperation and its prospect in the region in terms of food security and Astt Prof. JirayudhSinthuphan, Director, South Asian Studies Center of Chulalongkorn University spoke on cultural bonding, Indian civilization and its extension to the region including Thailand.