DHAKA, March 27, 2024 (BSS) - The Australian Assistant Minister for Defense

Matt Thistlethwaite has said Australia is ready to work with Bangladesh.

"Australia is ready to work with the present government of Bangladesh as the
country has formed a new government after holding credible national elections
on January 7, this year," he said.

The assistant defense minister said this while addressing a function at a
hotel in Australian capital Canberra on Tuesday marking the Independence and
National Day of Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh High Commission in Australia organised the function.

Matt Thistlethwaite echoed that Australia and Bangladesh are maintaining very
close relationships with each other. "The relations of both the countries
have been strengthened following a visit of the then Australian Prime
Minister Edward Gough Whitlam, who served from 1972 to 1975, in January,
1975.

He said Australia had recognized Bangladesh on January 31 in 1972 after its
independence.

"The bilateral participation of Bangladesh and Australia also will advance
exhaustively during this time," Bangladeshi envoy in Australia M Allama
Siddiqui said while taking part in the discussion.

He expressed gratitude to the Australian government and the people as well
for playing a role in the Liberation War of Bangladesh.

The reception programme was also attended by Australian Federal Member of
Parliament Andrew Charlton, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Peter
John Cain, diplomats from different countries in the world, other Australian
government high officials including Chief of protocol and expatriate
Bangladeshis in Australia.