Indian war veterans, Bangladesh's Muktijoddhas exchange visit to mark Vijay Diwas

Vijay Diwas commemorates the Pakistan military's surrender to Indian forces. India's historic victory led to the liberation of Bangladesh.

New Delhi: Notwithstanding the recent turmoil in Bangladesh and heightened concerns in New Delhi on the situations in Dhaka, eight Bangladesh Muktijoddhas and two serving officers have come to India to commemorate the liberation war of 1971 following an established protocol.

On the other side, eight Indian war veterans and two serving officers of the Indian Armed Forces arrived in Dhaka to take part in Bangladesh's Victory Day (Vijay Diwas) celebrations on the 53rd anniversary of the war.

The Bangladesh delegation participated at the celebrations at Fort William in Kolkata – the headquarters of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command that was the nerve centre during the 1971 campaign – in the presence of General Officer Commanding Lt Gen R C Tiwari.

“The ongoing exchanges celebrate the unique friendship between India and Bangladesh and renew the collective memories of the Liberation War, which symbolises the shared commitment and valour of both countries' armed forces,” said an officer.

The celebrations come amidst strained relations between New Delhi and Dhaka due to a rise in anti-India sentiment and attacks on minority Hindus since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government. Over 200 such attacks have been registered since the fall of the Awami league government on August 5.

"We, who have come here, are freedom fighters; we fought hand in hand with the Indian forces," Muktijoddha Lt Colonel Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir (retd) told reporters in Kolkata, while stressing on the importance of good bilateral relations.

Muktijoddhas were an integral part of Mukti Bahini, a guerrilla resistance force comprising military personnel and civilian volunteers during the Bangladesh Liberation War.

"These bilateral visits provide a significant platform for Muktijoddhas from Bangladesh and Indian war veterans to come together and reflect on the historic sacrifices. Such a tradition underscores the deep-rooted bond of solidarity between India and Bangladesh, reinforcing the values of peace, cooperation and shared history,” said an officer.

Iconic Painting

Meanwhile, the Indian Army on Monday said that an iconic painting on the surrender of Pakistan Army was installed in the Manekshaw Centre, named after the architect and the hero of the 1971 victory.

Removal of the painting from the Army Headquarters had stirred a controversy with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi raising the issue in the Parliament.