Pranab praises Bangladesh for development at meeting with Hamid

Former Indian president Pranab Mukherjee has praised Bangladesh for its development and progress in a meeting with President Md Abdul Hamid.

Pranab, accompanied by his daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee, paid a courtesy call on Hamid at the Bangabhaban on Wednesday.

Hamid received them with flowers. His sons Rejwan Ahammad Taufiq, Rasel Ahmed Tuhin and Riad Ahmed Tushar, and daughter Shorna Hamid were also present.

Hamid and Pranab later held a meeting at the Credential Hall of the Bangabhaban.

The President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told bdnews24.com that Hamid recalled with gratitude the role Pranab played during the Liberation War, calling him a ‘tested friend of Bangladesh’.

They also recalled some incidents of the war. 

“The president also said the historic relations between Bangladesh and India are expanding to commerce, investment and other fields,” Joynal said.

“Pranab Mukherjee lauded Bangladesh’s development and progress. He hoped Bangladesh will make more progress in the near future,” the president’s press secretary added.

He also noted that as president of India, he made his maiden overseas visit to Bangladesh and his first foreign trip to the same destination as well after retirement.

Pranab lauded Bangladesh for its hospitality and preserving the memories of Masterda Surya Sen, who famously led the raid on Chittagong armoury during the British rule in 1930.

Besides visiting the birthplace of Masterda, Pranab paid tributes to anti-British revolutionary Pritilata Waddedar during his two-day stay in Chittagong.

He also received the honorary D Lit from Chittagong University.

During the meeting at the Bangabhaban, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla, among others, were also present.   

Later, Hamid hosted a dinner for Pranab and Sharmistha and they were joined by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In March 2013, Pranab came to Bangladesh with his late wife Subhra, and travelled to the southwestern district of Narail, his in-law’s hometown.

During the visit, Bangladesh conferred on him the ‘Bangladesh Liberation War Honour Award’ for his role during the 1971 War of Independence.