Overview
- HIGH Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah described Bangladesh–India relations as deep and multi-layered rooted in shared history, culture and geography.
- He paid tribute to the 1,668 Indian soldiers killed in the 1971 Liberation War and acknowledged Indian veterans and civilians, including in Tripura and West Bengal.
- Indian Army DGMO Lieutenant-General Manish Luthra attended as chief guest, highlighting sustained defence engagement through senior-level participation.
- Hamidullah noted multifaceted cooperation between the two militaries and cited Bangladesh’s UN peacekeeping toll of 168 fatalities, with troops assisting civil authorities before elections expected in early 2026.
- Coverage placed the event against a recent chill after the 17 November ICT-B death sentence for former PM Sheikh Hasina, with Dhaka’s latest extradition request to India reported last Friday and NSA-level talks continuing as New Delhi remains non-committal.