Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque on Friday said the war in 1971 was never a war between India and Pakistan rather it was a War of Liberation for Bangladesh.

‘It was never a War between India and Pakistan. We never say it. It’s no way a Pak-India war. It was our War of Liberation,’ he said while addressing a function as the chief guest at the National Museum in the city, reports the UNB.

The Minister expressed gratitude to India for its tremendous support extended by its people and government in 1971.

‘India provided shelter, training and arms. We got all logistic support from India,’ he said.

He said Bangladesh and its people are extremely grateful to Indian government and its people for the wholehearted support they extended during the War of 1971.

‘We, the joint force fought together,’ the Minister said adding that with the strong support of India they compelled the Park force to surrender only within 14 days.

He mentioned that India gave shelter to around one crore people. ‘Even, India played a very strong role in building opinion worldwide to free Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.’  

Minister Haque said India remains a good friend and both the countries are working to further cement the friendly ties.

‘Our friendship is genuine. There is no artificiality in our friendship. People of these two countries sacrificed their blood for freedom. So, we share the victory,’ he said.

He said the presence of war veterans from India inspires them in Bangladesh and the friendship will last forever with stronger base.

Later a book titled 12 Days to Dacca, written by Mahfuza Gen H.S. Kler and edited by Wing Commander Deejay Kler, was unveiled both in Bangla and English.

Deputy Indian High Commissioner Dr Adarsh Swaika, among others, spoke at the function titled ‘Victory Day 2017: Intercation with Indian War Veterans’ organized by Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

An Indian delegation, comprising 27 war veterans and four serving officers, accompanied by their companions participated in the Victory Day celebrations and shared their stories.

Through the visit, the veterans of War of Liberation of Bangladesh 1971 once again got together in Dhaka and Kolkata to celebrate the Victory and their eternal bonds of camaraderie.

They shared their stories to bring to life a saga of glory, sacrifice and the spirit with which the people of both countries had stood by each other during the difficult times.

The reciprocal visits by freedom fighters and war veterans on Victory Day started in 2005 and more than 300 freedom fighters from Bangladesh and 150 Indian veterans have joined the celebrations in Kolkata and Dhaka respectively.

During their stay in Bangladesh, they will attend the ceremonial events and interact with the Prime Minister, the chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force and Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division.

They will also meet freedom fighters during separate receptions being hosted by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, War Course Foundation of Bangladesh, Dhaka Club and the High Commission of India.

The delegation will also pay homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum as also visit some of the battle sites of the Liberation War.

The Indian delegation is led by Lt Gen (retired) Jai Bhagwan Singh Yadava who participated in 1965 war against Pakistan and 1971 War of Liberation of Bangladesh.

He was honoured with the gallantry award, ‘Vir Chakra’, in the 1971 war for his acts of gallantry in the battle of Bogra. He was also wounded in this battle.

Wing Commander Vinod Kumar Nebb, ‘Vir Chakra and Bar’, was a young Flight Lieutenant of Indian Air Force in 1971.

This year a delegation of 30 freedom fighters and six serving Bangladesh Armed Forces officers, along with their companions are participating in the Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata from December 14-18 at an invitation from government of India. 

The delegation is led by Housing and Public Works Minister Mosharraf Hossain and has three Members of Parliament, retired officers from Bangladesh Armed Forces, diplomats, senior bureaucrats and prominent personalities from the civil society.

The delegation will participate in a large number of ceremonial functions and receptions being held in their honour as also get an opportunity to interact with Indian veterans of the War. They will also visit ‘Jorashanko’ (Thakurbari), the family house of Shri Rabindranath Tagore and other historical places.