AP

Bangladesh marks 50 years of war victory against Pakistan

Dec 15, 2021, 11:25 AM | Updated: Dec 16, 2021, 6:42 am

Bangladeshis visit Museum of Independence during celebrations to mark 50 years of victory over Paki...

Bangladeshis visit Museum of Independence during celebrations to mark 50 years of victory over Pakistan, at an event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. On Dec. 16, 1971, Pakistani soldiers surrendered to a joint India-Bangladesh force, formally making Bangladesh a new nation under the leadership of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

(AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)


              Bangladeshis visit Museum of Independence during celebrations to mark 50 years of victory over Pakistan, at an event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. On Dec. 16, 1971, Pakistani soldiers surrendered to a joint India-Bangladesh force, formally making Bangladesh a new nation under the leadership of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
            
              Bangladeshi officials and others wave minature national flags during celebrations to mark 50 years of victory over Pakistan, at an event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. On Dec. 16, 1971, Pakistani soldiers surrendered to a joint India-Bangladesh force, formally making Bangladesh a new nation under the leadership of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
            
              Bangladeshis arrive to participate in the celebrations to mark 50 years of victory over Pakistan, at an event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. On Dec. 16, 1971, Pakistani soldiers surrendered to a joint India-Bangladesh force, formally making Bangladesh a new nation under the leadership of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
            
              Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh musical band perform during celebrations to mark 50 years of victory over Pakistan, at an event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. On Dec. 16, 1971, Pakistani soldiers surrendered to a joint India-Bangladesh force, formally making Bangladesh a new nation under the leadership of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
            
              Bangladeshi officials and others take oath as part of celebrations to mark 50 years of victory over Pakistan, at an event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. On Dec. 16, 1971, Pakistani soldiers surrendered to a joint India-Bangladesh force, formally making Bangladesh a new nation under the leadership of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
            
              A Bangladeshi man carries his granddaughter holding their national flag inside the Museum of Independence during celebrations to mark 50 years of victory over Pakistan, at an event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. On Dec. 16, 1971, Pakistani soldiers surrendered to a joint India-Bangladesh force, formally making Bangladesh a new nation under the leadership of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)
            
              In this photograph released by India’s Presidential Palace, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, pays homage to Bangladeshi independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at the Bangabandhu Museum in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Wednesday, Dec.15, 2021. Kovind is in Dhaka to attend celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the end of Bangladesh’s nine-month long Liberation War in 1971. (Indian Presidential Palace via AP)
            
              In this photograph released by India’s Presidential Palace, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, left is received by Bangladesh President Mohammad Abdul Hamid, center at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Wednesday, Dec.15, 2021. Kovind is in Dhaka to attend celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the end of Bangladesh’s nine-month long Liberation War in 1971. (Indian Presidential Palace via AP)

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh on Thursday marked 50 years of victory over Pakistan in a bloody war for independence by hosting a military parade with the Indian president as a guest of honor.

On Dec. 16, 1971, Pakistani soldiers surrendered to a joint India-Bangladesh force, formally making Bangladesh a new nation under the leadership of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The war began on March 26, and continued for nine months before victory was declared in December, aided by India under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Thursday’s celebrations were attended by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, who was on a two-day visit to the Muslim-majority country.

After arriving on Wednesday, Kovind held discussions with Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid in Dhaka.

Arindam Bagchi, a spokesman for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, said the two leaders discussed issues of interest, including connectivity and trade, cooperation in fight against COVID-19 and development partnerships.

Hasina and Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen also received Kovind.

“In 10 years, we will see very changed and different countries. We are looking at green technologies, renewables in this era of climate change to create employment, IT and digital platforms, startups,” said Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

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Bangladesh marks 50 years of war victory against Pakistan