Bangladesh PM praises IAF role during war with Pak

Hasina recalled the IAF's intervention on the skylines of Dhaka when Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha called on her at her office.

Dhaka:

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday praised the role of Indian Air Force during the 1971 Liberation War that accelerated the surrender of Pakistani troops.

Hasina recalled the IAF's intervention on the skylines of Dhaka when Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha called on her at her office.

During the meeting with Raha, who is on a five-day visit to Bangladesh, she discussed various issues of mutual interests including in the areas of economy and defence.

"They discussed various issues relating to mutual interests and cooperation in various sectors including in the areas of economy, communication and air forces of the two countries," a Prime Minister's Office spokesman said.

She recalled the IAF strikes during the Liberation War which accelerated the surrender of Pakistani troops.

"She particularly recalled an air battle in Dhaka at the fag end of the war and told the IAF chief that she along with other members of her family witnessed the battle from their confinement," her press secretary Ihsanul Karim said.

She also recalled the sacrifices of the Indian forces and her personal gratitude to India, where she took refuge for six years after the August 15, 1975 assassination of her father and Bangladesh's founder 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Hasina highlighted the steps taken for regional cooperation such as the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) initiative and the Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor for regional development.

Conveying her greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Hasina underscored the need for more unofficial visits in addition to the official visits to strengthen cooperation.