By Mir Afroz Zaman 

The basis of Russia-Bangladesh bilateral relations is equality, friendship and mutual respect, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Mr. Andrey Yurevich Rudenko commented.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Moscow said in a press statement that on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of Bangladesh's great independence and national day, the Bangladesh Embassy in Moscow organized a reception on the evening of April 16 at the local Four Seasons Hotel. 

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Yuryevich Rudenko was present as the chief guest. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Colonel General Mr. Alexander Fomin and Minister of Moscow City Government Mr. Sergey Cheremin. Ambassadors of more than 60 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, members of the State Duma, senior officials of various government and autonomous institutions including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia and leading businessmen of Russia attended the reception.

The chief guest of the program is Mr. Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia. Andrei Yurevich Rudenko mentioned the special role of the then Soviet Union in Bangladesh's war of independence and said that the basis of diplomatic relations between the two countries established after independence was friendship, mutual respect and equality. He announced that in addition to restoring the economy of war-torn Bangladesh, the then Soviet Navy's successful operation in 1972-74 to remove mines and raise sunken ships in the Chittagong sea port, will be celebrated this year with special arrangements for its 50th anniversary.

Mr. Rudenko recalled the ceremony organized on the occasion of the first nuclear fuel transfer for the Ruppur nuclear power plant through a video conference with the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on October 5, 2023, and promised to work together to deepen the relationship between the two countries in various fields. He expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing trade and investment between the two countries and hoped that it would increase in size and scope in the coming days. He highlighted the growing economic development of Bangladesh and mentioned the important contribution of Bangladesh in maintaining international peace and stability in South Asia as well as socio-economic development. He expressed hope that both Bangladesh and Russia respect the UN Charter and international law and that both countries will work together to establish multilateral world order and justice.

Ambassador Kamrul Ahsan, at the beginning of his speech, paid deep respect to the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the martyrs of the great liberation war. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangabandhu's worthy daughter, the country has returned to the path of development and progress and is determined to build the Sonar Bangla of the father of the nation's dream. Moving forward in steps. According to the Prime Minister's 'Vision 2041', Bangladesh will become a smart and developed country by 2041. Referring to the pre-Covid growth of around 8%, the Ambassador said that Bangladesh's economy is re-energizing due to the recent increase in exports and remittance flows. These achievements are possible only as a result of the strong and sustainable policies and plans of the Government of Bangladesh.

The ambassador also said that the relationship between the two countries, which was created by Bangabandhu's first visit to the Soviet Union in 1972, was further strengthened by the Prime Minister's visit in 2013. Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Sergey Lavrov's visit to Bangladesh last year testifies to Russia's commitment to strengthening the relationship between the two countries.

In the program, documentaries related to development of Bangladesh, mega projects, investment, tourism etc. were shown. Finally the invited guests are entertained with various local and Bangladeshi dishes. The reception is organized after Eid-ul-Fitr due to the holy month of Ramadan. Earlier on the evening of March 30, 2024, another reception was organized with the participation of Bangladeshi citizens living in the Russian Federation on the occasion of the Great Independence and National Day.