India, Bangladesh Cement Ties

Bangladeshi minister Hasan Mahmud has met with top officials of India government including counterpart Anurag Thakur and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, reports Asian Lite News

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Tuesday met Bangladesh Information Minister Hasan Mahmud and conveyed India’s commitment to further strengthen cooperation with the neighbouring country on COVID management and connectivity.

“Foreign Secretary @harshvshringla met Bangladesh Minister for Information & Broadcasting Dr Hasan Mahmud, MP. Conveyed Flag of India’s commitment to further strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh in COVID management, connectivity, culture and P2P ties,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

Mahmud, who is on a visit to India from September 5-8, met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. He also had a meeting with his Indian counterpart Anurag Thakur and discussed a range of issues, including people-to-people exchanges, the International Film Festival of India, and bilateral films production amongst others.

Mahmud on Monday inaugurated the Bangabandhu Media Centre at the Press Club of India in New Delhi.

He said bilateral relations between both countries have touched new heights under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

B’desh Army chief paid tributes

Meanwhile, General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh Army on Tuesday laid a wreath and paid tributes to the fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.

Chief of Army Staff of Bangladesh Army received Guard of Honour at South Block. He is on a three-day official visit to India.

India and Bangladesh have a close, long-standing relationship covering a wide spectrum of activities and interactions, which has strengthened over the years.

Media and bilateral ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met Bangladesh Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and discussed media and bilateral cooperation.

“Glad to meet Bangladesh Information and Broadcasting Minister, Hasan Mahmud. Our bilateral cooperation is progressing steadily across all domains. Discussed media and public perceptions in that regard,” tweeted Jaishankar.

Earlier, Mahmud also met his Indian counterpart Anurag Thakur and discussed a range of issues, including people to people exchanges, International Film Festival of India and bilateral films production amongst others.

“A pleasure meeting H.E Dr Hasan Mahmud Information & Broadcasting Minister of Bangladesh. We discussed a range of issues, including people to people exchanges, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), bilateral films production amongst others. We enjoy strong and historic ties; this will be further strengthened,” tweeted Thakur.

Biopic of Bangabandhu

India and Bangladesh will in March 2022 release a biopic on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also known as the architect of Bangladesh’s independence.

The information was shared by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday after his meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Hasan Mahmud.

“The biopic Bangabandhu is almost 75 per cent complete and we talked about completing it sooner. The shooting will be in Bangladesh for the rest of the part. We will try to complete it by March,” said Thakur.

The biopic is made to celebrate the twin occasion of both countries- Bangladesh is celebrating its 50th year of Liberation and India too is celebrating its 75th year of independence.

“Bangladesh and India enjoy historical ties. People to people and government to government contact have been our key areas. Bangladesh is celebrating its 50th year of Liberation and India too is celebrating its 75th year of independence,” added Thakur.

He also urged to celebrate December 6 as “Maitri Diwas”, the day on which India formally recognised Bangladesh.

Talking about the ties between the two countries, he said, “My meeting with my counterpart was a fruitful one on improving ties between both countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also travelled to Bangladesh. Such meetings will further strengthen ties between the two countries.”

“On 50th year of International Film Festival of India (IFFI), focus country was Bangladesh. People like movies from Bangladesh and how Indian movies can be shown more in their countries will be our focus. We are trying to better our relations in the field of movies, audiovisual technology, virtual effects and gaming and other technology sectors,” added Thakur.

Remembering the contribution of Bangabandhu, Mahmud said, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman sacrificed his life for the freedom and the people of Bangladesh.

He thanked India for playing a critical role in the liberation efforts of Bangladesh saying that it had not been possible to liberate Bangladesh without the help of India. (ANI)