Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque on Saturday said 'cultural meet' can be the best way of improving the living condition of the peoples of both Bangladesh and India by boosting bilateral relations between the two close-door neighbours.
"We have enormous scopes of hastening connectivity between the peoples of the two countries through sharing and exchanging cultural activities," he added.
The minister came up with the observation while addressing the civic reception of 'The Fifth Bangladesh-India Cultural Meet-2022, Rajshahi' at Green Plaza of Rajshahi City Corporation as chief guest. Friends of Bangladesh and Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) are jointly hosting the four-day event to mark the Golden Jubilee of Independence, birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Golden Jubilee of India-Bangladesh Relations.
A team of around 40 political, cultural and media personalities from India are joining the meet. Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque said the present relation between Bangladesh and India has reached a new height.
"Peoples of the two neighbouring countries are enjoying the benefits of the friendly relation in different fields, including communication, healthcare and tourism," he said.
Home Minister of Tripura Provincial Government Ram Prosad Paul addressed the ceremony as special guest with Rajshahi Mayor and Convener of the cultural meet preparatory committee AHM Khairuzzaman Liton in the chair.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Vikram K Doraiswami and Shamsul Arefin and Satyam Roy Chowdhury from the Friends of Bangladesh also spoke.
Dr Abdur Razzaque said the two neighbouring countries, Bangladesh and India, maintain close and cordial relations on various bilateral issues.
Bangladesh and India, as the closest neighbours, will continue to work together to establish a secure South Asia for the benefit of all people.
He said the relationship has its genesis in the War of Liberation in 1971 and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman maintained excellent relations with the Indian leadership.
"We recall with deep gratitude the contribution of the government of India for standing firmly by us in our most difficult time," he said.
He also said the partnership is multifaceted and in the past few years, since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina assumed office, they have attained some tangible goals in many areas.
He also hoped that the relation will enhance to a greater extent through the cultural meet.
Earlier in the morning, the Indian delegation, accompanied by the local hosts, paid rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at his mural at C&B Crossing in the city.
Subsequently, they also paid rich homage to one of the four national leaders, Shaheed AHM Kamaruzzaman at his grave.
