On Saturday, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma spoke at a reception marking the 76th Republic Day of India in the capital. Photo: Indian HC

  
DHAKA, Jan 26, 2025 (BSS) – Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma has reaffirmed India's commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh, highlighting importance of both countries people as key stakeholders in this partnership.

"India will continue to seek a stable, positive, constructive, forward-looking and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh, in which our people are the main stakeholders," he said during a reception marking the 76th Republic Day of India at a city hotel on Saturday evening. 

Planning and Education Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud spoke at the event as the chief guest. 

Verma said Delhi will continue to support a "democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh".

"We remain confident that the reality of our cultural and societal connections and the logic of our interdependence and mutual benefit will keep guiding our relationship forward," he said. 
 
The envoy further stated that India believes the partnership between the two countries should benefit the common people on both sides, with their relationship remaining people-centric at its core.

"Our relations have always been people-centric, linked by familial and societal connections on both sides of the border. Our shared love for literature, music, and art defines our ties," he said.  

The high commissioner also expressed that India values its long-standing relationship with Bangladesh and wishes the people of Bangladesh well as they continue their journey.

"As a neighbour to whom we take a long-term view of our relations, our ties with Bangladesh derive strength from our belief that our peace, security, progress and prosperity are interlinked," Verma noted.

The envoy stressed that both Bangladesh and India play crucial roles in the peace and development of the Bay of Bengal region. 

"Our collaboration is vital to address shared challenges such as environmental sustainability and climate change," he added.

The high commissioner also pointed out the strengthening interlinkages between the two nations, particularly through improved connectivity and economic engagement, which are bringing people, societies, and businesses closer. 

"These transformative changes have unlocked the region's growth potential, results of mutual sensitivity towards each other's concerns and aspirations," Verma said.

He emphasized that this mutual understanding will continue to guide the future development of Bangladesh-India relations.

As two aspirational societies, Verma reiterated that there is much both nations can offer each other and the wider region when they collaborate, turning their geographical proximity into new opportunities.

Reflecting on India’s historical journey, Verma remarked that 75 years ago, on January 26, 1950, the people of independent India adopted their constitution and declared India a sovereign republic.

"These 76 years have been an extraordinary journey, transforming India from a nation of impoverishment into a capable modern state, playing an increasingly important role in global progress and offering solutions to worldwide challenges," Verma stated.

He also acknowledged Bangladesh's pivotal role as a partner in this journey, with shared history, geography, culture, and traditions, bound together by the sacrifices of the Liberation War.