DHAKA :Today is 26th March, our Independence Day and National Day. On this historic occasion, I pay my deepest tribute to our valiant martyrs, our brave freedom fighters, our men and women whose sacrifices and unwavering courage enabled the birth of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh in 1971.
On the midnight of 25th March in 1971, the Pakistani military launched a brutal genocide on unarmed civilians of Bangladesh through the infamous ‘Operation Searchlight’. On 26th March Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh from the Kalurghat radio station in Chattogram, inspiring the people of Bangladesh to rise in resistance. After nine months of a heroic and bloody iiberation war, and through the supreme sacrifices of millions of martyrs, Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation in 1971.
The spirit of our independence was rooted in the aspiration to eliminate economic, social and political disparities and to secure justice, dignity and economic emancipation for our people. In independent Bangladesh, President Ziaur Rahman first undertook significant initiatives to advance these aspirations of our nation. His vision of foreign policy, ‘Bangladesh First’ placed national interest at the forefront. Guided by this policy, Bangladesh strengthened relations with neighbouring countries and nations across the globe based on mutual respect and shared interests.
Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Tarique Rahman Bangladesh remains firmly committed to upholding the ‘Bangladesh First’ policy while working closely with the international community to promote peace, cooperation and sustainable development.
On this glorious day, I also express my sincere appreciation to the Bangladeshi diaspora and our diplomats who played an important role during the Liberation War in mobilizing international support for Bangladesh and later in securing global recognition of our independence. We remain grateful to our international friends who made contributions in support of Bangladesh’s independence.
I extend my warm greetings to Bangladeshis living abroad and to all members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bangladesh Missions overseas.
Bangladesh Zindabad.
Signed/-
(Dr. Khalilur Rahman)
