We jointly recall and celebrate the foundations of our 50 years of friendship: Narendra Modi tweets on India-Bangladesh ties

"Today India and Bangladesh commemorate Maitri Diwas. We jointly recall and celebrate the foundations of our 50 years of friendship. I look forward to continue working with H.E. PM Sheikh Hasina to further expand and deepen our ties," Modi tweeted.

.India and Bangladesh will observe Maitri Diwas (Friendship Day) on Dec 6 in Dhaka and New Delhi and 18 countries around the world, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

"During the visit of PM Shri Narendra Modi to Bangladesh in March 2021 to attend the national day of Bangladesh, it was decided to commemorate 06 December as Maitri Diwas (Friendship Day). Ten days before the liberation of Bangladesh, India had recognised Bangladesh on 06 December 1971," MEA said in a  statement.

India was one of the first countries to establish bilateral diplomatic ties with Bangladesh.

The Maitri Diwas is being commemorated in 18 countries around the world apart from in Dhaka and Delhi.

These countries are Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, Singapore, UK, Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE and USA.

"The holding of Maitri Diwas is a reflection of the deep and abiding friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh that has been forged in blood and shared sacrifices," read a government statement.