Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Vikram Doraiswami on Saturday said that Buddhism and its teachings “form a part of the rich tradition and shared cultural heritage” of India and Bangladesh.
He also reiterated that the two countries share common bonds of history, language and culture that were forged in the liberation war of Bangladesh.
The envoy was speaking at a seminar in Dhaka organised by the Bangladesh Buddha Kristi Prachar Sangha.
State minister for religious affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan, Member of the Parliament Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Barrister Biplab Barua, Convenor of the Sampriti Bangladesh Pijush Bandyopadhyay and President of the Bangladesh Buddha Kristi Prachar Sangha Buddhapriya Mahathero spoke at the seminar, among others.
Bangladesh and India are celebrating together the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (Maitree Diwas) on December 6 in different parts of the world, apart from Dhaka and New Delhi.
Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives along with the brave freedom fighters of Bangladesh to liberate the country in 1971.
Arindam Bagchi, official spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), earlier, said the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) will organise a special event on December 6 in New Delhi. The event will see participation from both countries.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will send a video message for the event to be held in New Delhi.
"I want to emphasise that the holding of the Maitri Diwas is a reflection of the deep and abiding friendship between the people of India and the people of Bangladesh, that has been forged in blood and shared sacrifices," Arindam Bagchi had said.
During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh in March this year, it was decided to commemorate December 6 as Maitri Diwas.
Just 10 days before the final victory on December 16 in 1971, India recognised Bangladesh as a nation on December 6.