The Ministry of External Affairs has said that India will commemorate December 6 as Maitri Diwas with Bangladesh as New Delhi had recognised Dhaka on this day in 1971.
"During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh in March, it was decided to commemorate December 6 as Maitri Diwas or friendship day," Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said during a press briefing here on Thursday.
"We may recall that 10 days before the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, India had recognised Bangladesh on this day, 6 December 1971," he added.
India was the first country to establish bilateral and diplomatic ties with Bangladesh, said Bagchi, adding, Maitri Diwas is being commemorated in 18 countries around the world apart from Bangladesh and New Delhi.
The US, UK, Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, Singapore, Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa Switzerland, Thailand and UAE are the countries where Maitri Diwas will be commemorated.
Bagchi said that in New Delhi, the Indian Council of World Affairs will be organising a special event on December 6 which will see participation from both countries.
He emphasised that the "holding of the Maitri Diwas is a reflection of deep and abiding friendship between the people of India and the people of Bangladesh".
( With inputs from ANI )
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