India keen to continue working closely with Bangladesh: Rajnath

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh hassaid his country is keen to continue working closely with Bangladesh to support each other's defence and security concerns as the nation is deeply sensitive to the security and development issues of its neighbours.

"It is critical for our Armed Forces to remain engaged with each other for mutual capability enhancement, to respond to contingencies and to realise the shared goals of providing security and prosperity to our people," he added.

The Indian union minister was addressing a reception function hosted by Bangladesh High Commission to India marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh Armed Forces Day at the Chancery premises as the chief guest on Monday.

This is for the first time in Bangladesh's history since independence that the Union Defence Minister of India and chiefs of Indian three services joined the programme along with other dignitaries including officers from Armed Forces of Bangladesh and other friendly nations and Bangladesh's 1971 war veterans.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran and Defence Advisor to the mission Brigadier General Md. Abul Kalam Azad also spoke on the occasion.

Mentioning strong partnership between Bangladesh and India, Rajnath Singh said both the countries are fighting shoulder to shoulder against common challenges such poverty and hunger, surge of terrorism and extremist ideologies and climate change.

He paid glowing tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman saying, "The inspiring leadership of the first President of Bangladesh was the guiding light for the people of the country in their struggle for freedom".

He said Bangabandhu's ideals form the foundation of the shinning Bangladesh steadily advancing in its path of development.

The Indian minister described the Bangladesh War of Liberation as an unprecedented event in the 20th century history as it was a moral fight against injustice, atrocities and oppression.

In this connection, he referred to the Indian support to the Bangladesh's War of Liberation and called for keeping the spirit of Liberation War alive in the mind of the younger generations, especially those who join the Bangladesh armed forces.