NEW DELHI, Dec 2, 2021 (BSS) - The Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) will observe 'Moitri Dibosh' (Friendship Day) on December 6 commemorating India's recognition to Bangladesh as an independent state and 50th years of establishment of Bangladesh-India diplomatic ties.

  Marking the day, the ICWA, a subsidiary body of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), will organize a special event here on December 6, which will see participation from both Bangladesh and India, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi disclosed it at the weekly media briefing this evening.

  "The holding of Maitri Diwas (Friendship day) is a reflection of the deep and abiding friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh that has been forged in blood and shared sacrifices," he added.

  The 'Maitri Diwas', he said, is being commemorated in 18 countries around the world apart from in Dhaka and Delhi. The countries are- Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, Singapore, UK, Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE and USA.

  Dhaka and New Delhi have decided to observe 'Moitree Diwas' during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Dhaka visit in March 2021 to attend the national day of Bangladesh.

  In observance of the day, the ICWA will organize a lecture titled 'Bangabandhu Memorial Lecture" to be given by Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will send a message for the lecture. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran and ICWA Director General Ambassador Vijay Thakur Singh will spoke on the occasion.

  Later, a panel discussion will be held with former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Rajeet Mitter in the chair.

  Former Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu, MP, Sabyasachi Dutta, Executive Director of Asian Confluence and Dipanjan Roy Chowdhury, Diplomatic Affairs Editor of Economic Times will be the panel discussants.
   
   Besides, Bangladesh High Commission is set to organize a reception and cultural programmes to commemorate 'Moitri Dibosh'- Friendship Day on December 6 at Kamani auditorium here. In the programme, the mission will felicitate the war veterans of 1971.

   The programmes will be followed by a cultural function to be performed by the Bangladeshi cultural troupes, the high commission sources told BSS today.