Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Student Scholarship was awarded to descendants of 200 Indian Armed Forces personnel

The bond between India and Bangladesh was forged in blood 50 years ago, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday.

Speaking at an event in New Delhi to award Mujib Scholarship to the descendants of 200 Indian Armed Forces personnel, he added that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, India-Bangladesh relations have taken "great strides forward".

"The relationship between our two countries are in many ways a continuation of the bonds that were forged in blood, fifty years ago. Today, as we remember that time, we honour the iconic symbol of the historic 1971 Liberation War, a statesman, who liberated from oppression, the spirit of a brave people and brought forth a nation," EAM Jaishankar said.

He added that India is privileged to have played a role in Bangladesh’s struggle for independence, one of the great movements in contemporary history.

EAM Jaishankar remarked that the decision of the Government of Bangladesh to award Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Student Scholarships is a testament of how the Liberation War of 1971 continues to inspire our bilateral relationship.

During her address, PM Sheikh Hasina paid her respects to Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the Bangladesh liberation war in 1971. "It's an honour for us to remember Indian brothers and war veterans who sacrifice their lives for our independence and sovereignty," she said.

Conferment of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Student scholarships to 100 students of class 10 and 100 students of class 12, was "a homage to Indian heroes who made supreme sacrifice for our cause," she added.