Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque has emphasized on further strengthening the existing excellent relations between Bangladesh and India to continue economic and social development and prevent communalism and fanaticism.
"Though India is a big country in terms of economy and geography, still the relationship between the two countries is very deep. The existing excellent relations between these countries should be strengthened further to continue economic and social development and prevent sectarianism and fanaticism," he said.
The minister made the remarks while he was addressing a discussion on India-Bangladesh bilateral relations as the chief guest at a hotel in Kolkata, India, on Friday, said a press release on Saturday.
Bangla Worldwide, an organization working to increase the connectivity among the Bangalis across the world, organized the discussion with its president and former chief justice of Kolkata High Court and Mumbai High Court Chittatosh Mukherjee in the chair.
Noting that neighboring India had cooperated in the Liberation War of Bangladesh and fought for the country sacrificing their lives, Dr Razzaque said: "We, both countries, are dependent on each other in all aspects.”
He said his party Awami League (AL) was established on June 23 in 1949 with the ideals of non-communalism, secularism, democracy and Bangali nationalism. Since then, the Awami League has not deviated from these ideals and not compromised on secularism and non-communalism, he added.
Whether the Awami League remains in power or not, Razzaque, also AL presidium member, said it has always tried to advance the non-communal spirit.
"But there are some political parties, including the BNP, that always use religions to come to power," he added.
Mentioning that the Bangalis of India and Bangladesh had stayed together for centuries, he said though the national identity and geography of the peoples of two countries are now different due to reality, the thoughts, food habits, lifestyle, language and culture of Bangalis are still almost the same.
"If all work together, the Bangalis can emerge as one of the best nations in the world," Razzaque added.
Former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman and Barrister Amir-ul Islam were present at the discussion, among others.
Later, Dr Razzaque inaugurated a documentary made on eminent journalist and cultural personality late Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury.