As a gesture of gratitude and appreciation for India's help in liberating Bangladesh in the 70s, Bangladeshi troops will march along with their Indian counterparts on Rajpath during Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26.
This is the first occasion when armed forces of Bangladesh is going to participate in India’s Republic-Day parade.
India’s neighbour on the east expressed their pride and respect for India and said that they feel proud knowing that India has agreed on their participation.
“It’s a great honour for us to become part of India’s 72nd Republic Day parade. Most of the parade personnel are from those Bangladesh units that were raised during the 1971 Liberation War. In fact, we are very fortunate to be part of the parade of “our friend” India at a time when our country is celebrating 2020-21 year as the birth centenary of our father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and also the 50th year of Bangladesh’s independence.” Bangladesh Army Colonel Mohtashim Hyder Chowdhury, who is heading the contingent, told TOI.
This will be the third time India will be hosting a foreign contingent to participate in the parade after the French troops in 2016 and the UAE personnel in 2017.
“It is a proud and emotional moment for me as well as I welcome the Bangladesh contingent. This is because my father, Brig P N Kacker (SC, VSM) commanded the second battalion in 9 Gorkha Rifles that fought in the Bangladesh war. In fact, his battalion fought pitched battles against Pakistani troops and crossed the Madhumati river for which his unit later won a battle honour ('Kamarkhali'). I feel proud to be a second-generation officer from the same unit.” Chief of staff (Delhi area) Major General Alok Kacker, who is also the parade second-in-command, told TOI.
A Bangladesh Army doctor is also accompanying the contingent to provide medical support.
