Relations between Bengal, Bangladesh go beyond borders, says 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,” Ms Banerjee said.

The CM made it clear that her government will not allow anyone to create disturbances that may affect the “good relationship” between the two neighbouring countries.

“We sometimes feel that we love Bangladesh more than our country. When Rabindra Jayanti (birthday of Rabindranath Tagore ) is celebrated in Bengal we cannot imagine it without singers from Bangladesh performing here. Poet Nazrul Islam lives in the heart of people of both the countries. Yes, there may be some technicalities with the boundaries but we love Bangladesh from the core of our heart,” she said.

The CM said the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh in 2015 was an achievement for both Bengal and Bangladeshi governments.

“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 on the occasion and along with Ms Banerjee inaugurated the programme and a photo exhibition on Bangladesh Liberation War and Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.

Thanking the CM 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. The five-day Vijay Diwas celebration in the city will see a number of noted Bangladesh cultural artistes performing here.