West Bengal-Bangladesh Relations go Beyond Borders, Says CM Mamata

Kolkata: Relation between West Bengal and Bangladesh goes beyond borders and ties between India and its neighbour can never be imagined by omitting the eastern state, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday.

Omitting West Bengal in bilateral relations between the two countries would pave the way for tension, she said at the inauguration of Vijay Diwas, which commemorates the military victory over Pakistan in 1971, organised here by Bangladesh Deputy High commission.

"The relationship between Bengal and Bangladesh goes beyond borders and boundaries. We share a deep bond of culture, language and a deep history of brotherhood. We can never forget the Language Movement, which gave Bengali language international stature. We can never forget the contribution of the Mukti Joddhas during the Bangladesh Liberation war of 1971," Mamata said.

"We think of Bangladesh as our own country. We share a special bond and Bangladesh has a special place in our heart.

You can never think of Bangladesh by omitting Bengal and vice versa. And it is because of Bengal, that India and Bangladesh has always shared a deep bond with each other in the past and it will continue in future too," she said.

The Chief Minister said the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh in 2015 was an achievement of both Bengal and Bangladeshi governments.

"The Land Boundary Agreement last year is a big achievement of both Bengal and Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh. We should strengthen our relationship further.

We should not do something or allow something which might give scope for tension in our relationship," she said.

Bangladesh Industry Minister Amir Hossain Amu was present in the occasion and along with Mamata inaugurated the programme and a photo exhibition on Bangladesh Liberation War and Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.

Thanking Mamata for her role in Land Boundary Agreement, he said "Bangladesh has achieved fulfillment because of this agreement. We can never forget the role that India had played during the liberation war.

"We think just like before we can solve all our issues through dialogue and discussions," he added.