New Delhi-Dhaka must reimagine ties as ‘strategic necessity for collective growth'—Bangladesh envoy
Riaz in his speech touched upon the soft dimensions of India-Bangladesh ties—language, culture and education. With thousands of Bangladeshi students studying in India, and an organic exchange of ideas and people across the two countries' 4,096-kilometre shared land border, he said the bilateral relationship was not merely geopolitical but personal.
The remarks come at a time when ties between New Delhi and Dhaka have been tense for months.
New Delhi: Bangladesh and India must reimagine bilateral and regional cooperation, not as a legacy of the past, but as a strategic necessity for collective growth and resilience, said M. Riaz Hamidullah, Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India, during a wide-ranging speech at the neighbouring country's belated national day celebration in New Delhi Thursday evening.
'Our collaboration cannot be judged solely by the memoranda signed or the meetings held,' he noted. 'We aspire for a peaceful and prosperous neighbourhood that upholds universal values while also protecting national interests.'
'Bound by shared geography, shared ecology, and a shared linguistic and cultural heritage, our two peoples embrace each other with respect and dignity,' Riaz added. 'Not just because we share the largest land boundary; our people engage organically, not merely as a matter of choice.'
He further asserted that 'Bangladesh's ties with India are historic, deep and multilayered. Bangladesh is open and engaged with India to address diverse issues of the present and future'.
Riaz noted that bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh grew in double digits in the fiscal gone by and said Dhaka sees the India-Bangladesh partnership as an engine for broader regional development, referencing the sub-regional energy agreement through which Nepal has begun transmitting 40 megawatts of electricity to Bangladesh via the Indian grid.
'These mutually gainful tasks are already in place,' Riaz said. 'It is this understanding that asks our two nations to reimagine bilateral and regional cooperation, not as a legacy of the past, but as a strategic necessity for our collective growth and resilience.'
Highlighting Bangladesh's priorities under its chairmanship of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Riaz said Dhaka looks forward to 'reinvigorating the regional cooperation agenda'.
The envoy underlined the country's commitment to democratic values, calling democracy one of the founding ideals that inspired Bangladesh's liberation. He spoke of the current political transition under way in Dhaka, where an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is expected to hold free and fair elections early next year.
He further emphasised that the future of Bangladesh lies in transformation: empowering the young to define their destiny and build a democracy that is not only electorally functional but socially inclusive.
Riaz ended on a personal note, recounting his meeting last month with Raghu Rai—the Indian photojournalist who documented the Bangladesh Liberation War and was awarded the Padma Shri in 1972 for his powerful imagery.
'His work captured our agony, our struggle, and reminded me that the humanism of 1971 still binds us,' he said. 'Today, some of the war veterans from 1971 are with us in this hall. Their sacrifices must never be forgotten.'
'The friendship between Bangladesh and India must continue to fly forward, rooted in history, yet reaching ambitiously into the future,' Riaz concluded.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
Also Read: After Operation Sindoor, why India must keep an eye on Bangladesh too
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
37 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Declined US President Trump's invite to Washington to come to Odisha: PM Modi
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he declined an invitation from US President Donald Trump to visit Washington after his official visit to Canada because he had to come to Odisha, the sacred land of Lord Jagannath. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the gathering during a public meeting in Bhubaneswar on Friday. (DD/ANI) 'During my visit, US President Donald Trump called me and said 'since you're already in Canada, why not come to Washington too? Let's have a meal and talk.' He extended a warm invitation. I respectfully told the President of the United States, 'Thank you for your kind invitation, but it is essential for me to go to the sacred land of Mahaprabhu.' And so, I humbly declined his offer, because your love and the devotion to Mahaprabhu drew me irresistibly to this holy land,' PM Modi said at an event in Bhubaneswar to mark the first anniversary of the BJP government led by Mohan Majhi. Modi said Odisha was a radiant beacon of India's rich heritage. 'For thousands of years, it has been a cornerstone of Indian culture, contributing to its growth and vibrancy. Today, as the ideals of development and heritage form the foundation of India's progress, Odisha's significance and role in this journey have grown even greater,' he added. 'Today is a very special day. Today, the first BJP government in Odisha has successfully completed one year. This anniversary is not just of the government; it is the anniversary of the establishment of good governance. This one year was dedicated to public service and public trust. When the BJP government in Odisha is completing its first year, all of you are busy preparing for the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. Mahaprabhu is our idol and inspiration and with the blessings of Mahaprabhu, the issues related to the Srimandir have also been resolved,' he said. PM Modi also unveiled the Odisha Vision Document, a roadmap for the state's development goals anchored around the centenary of Odisha's formation as India's first linguistic state in 2036 and India's 100 years of independence in 2047, an official statement said. The vision document aims to transform Odisha into a $500 billion economy by 2036 and a $1.5 trillion economy by 2047. Additionally, he launched the 'Baraputra Aitihya Gram Yojana' initiative to honour eminent Odias by developing their birthplaces into cultural hubs. The Prime Minister launched multiple development projects covering critical sectors such as drinking water, irrigation, agricultural infrastructure, health infrastructure, rural roads and bridges, sections of national highways, and a new railway line. He flagged off new train services extending rail connectivity to Boudh district for the first time and launched 100 electric buses under the Capital Region Urban Transport initiative to promote eco-friendly urban mobility.
India.com
38 minutes ago
- India.com
J-K CM Omar Abdullah Details Iran Evacuation Efforts, Urges Israel-Iran Dialogue
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah provided an update on the evacuation of Indian students, mostly from J-K, stranded in Iran due to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, emphasizing the use of land routes to Armenia for their safe return. He said over 300 to 400 students are expected to reach safer zones by today, from where they will be repatriated to India via Armenia. He stated, "We cannot evacuate them overnight because no airports are open, no ports are operational. We are first bringing them by road to cities where there is no bombing, and from there, efforts are being made to bring them back to India via Armenia. Today, we expect around 300 to 400 more students to arrive, most of whom are from Jammu and Kashmir. We will bring them back home safely, and there is a sense of hope all around." Amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, Abdullah called for de-escalation through dialogue. "The India-Pakistan issue is a separate matter, and the Israel-Iran issue is different. In any case, this bombing should never have started. Earlier, when the head of U.S. intelligence was asked whether Iran had nuclear weapons, he said he didn't think they would be able to make one anytime soon. But within a few months, Israel launched attacks on Iran. These attacks must stop, and the issues should be resolved through dialogue," he said. Abdullah also voiced concerns over the dynamics of India-U.S. relations, suggesting that the United States prioritises its interests over bilateral ties with India. He said, "We can't dictate to the US President whom he should invite for dinner. We used to think the US President was our close friend, and he would respect that, but the US does what benefits it..." Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Thursday welcomed the first group of 110 Indian nationals evacuated from Iran amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's office informed that he had taken note of the students evacuated from Iran's request regarding the quality of the buses arranged to transport them from Delhi to J-K. "The Chief Minister has taken note of the request of the students evacuated from Iran regarding the quality of buses arranged to transport them from Delhi to J-K. The Resident Commissioner has been tasked with coordinating with the JKRTC to ensure proper deluxe buses are arranged," the chief minister's office said in a post on X. Students who have been evacuated under Operation Sindhu from conflict-affected Iran raised issues about the buses that the J-K government is providing for them to travel to their home state. The Indian government has launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran, given the deteriorating situation as a result of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Meet FWD-LM01, the Indian drone that flies 100km, finds targets, and hits on its own
India officially entered the global arena of long-range tactical drones with the unveiling of the FWD-LM01 , a new loitering munition developed by Bengaluru-based Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace ( FWDA ). The launch took place at the 55th edition of the Paris Air Show, one of the most watched global events in defence aviation. This is the first time an Indian firm has showcased a fully indigenous, export-ready loitering munition with a range of 100 kilometres on foreign soil. Until now, India's domestic development in this category had been limited to sub-40km systems. With FWD-LM01, India signals a shift—not just in reach, but in ambition. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Tactical precision, portable power The FWD-LM01 is built for missions that demand speed, stealth, and accuracy. It's compact. Just 6kg in weight, man-portable, and designed to be deployed in under five minutes, without any tools. That makes it ideal for units on the move. Once launched, the system can loiter in air for up to 1.5 hours, climb to altitudes of 17,000 feet, and strike with a 2kg explosive payload. It integrates electro-optical infrared (EOIR) sensors for real-time visual intelligence and precision targeting. Live Events The munition's wingspan measures 2 metres, giving it flight stability and longer loitering ability over hostile terrain. Crucially, it's also AI-enabled, with autonomous targeting and navigation capabilities baked into the design. At the Paris launch, FWDA Founder and CEO Suhas Tejaskanda said, "With FWD-LM01, we are signalling the arrival of next-gen Indian capability in AI-enabled loitering strike systems. This is a highly agile, high altitude tested platform designed for modern asymmetric warfare." He added, "As India's first export ready loitering munition in the 100km range, we are committed to advancing India's defence capabilities with scalable solutions aligned with global standards." 100% made in Bengaluru, ready for export Every part of the FWD-LM01 is made in India. From concept to prototype to flight trials, the development has taken place entirely at Flying Wedge's Bengaluru facility. The company confirmed that the system has already completed its high-altitude flight tests, with explosive live-fire trials scheduled later this year for international certification. The launch isn't just about a new drone—it's about proving India's place in the fast-evolving world of autonomous warfare . Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace is a young company, but it's moving fast. Founded in 2022 by Suhas Tejaskanda, the firm started with a goal: to reduce India's dependence on imported defence systems and create scalable solutions rooted in AI. Key Specifications of FWD-LM01: Model Name: FWD-LM01 Take-off Weight: 6kg Payload: 2kg warhead + EOIR sensors Endurance: 1.5 hours Wingspan: 2 metres Range: 100km (linear) Deployment Time: Under 5 minutes (tool-free) Features: Autonomous targeting and navigation Status: High-altitude flight tested; global explosive trials due later in 2025 It's not just about making drones—it's about making India matter in the global conversation on next-generation warfare. And with players like FWDA leading the charge, the future may arrive sooner than expected.
