あS8 বাংরাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বাদশ খন্ড construed as intervention, has lost significance. The people of Bangladesh battling for their very existence and the people of India fighting to defeat aggression now find themselves partisans in the same cause. I am glad to inform the House that in light of the existing situation and in response to the repeated requests of the Government of Bangladesh, the Government of India have after the most careful consideration, decided to grant recognition to the GANA PRAJATANTRI BANGLADESH. It is our hope that with the passage of time more nations will grant recognition and that the GANA PRAJATANTRI BANGLADESH will soon from part of the family of nations. Our thoughts at this moment are with the father of this new State Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I am sure that this House would wish me to convey to their Excellencies the Acting President of Bangladesh and the Prime minister and to their colleagues, our greetings and warm felicitations. I am placing on the Table of the House copies of the communications which we have received from the Government of Bangladesh. Hon'ble Members will be glad to know that the Government of Bangladesh have proclaimed their basic principles of State policy to be democracy, socialism, secularism and the establishment of an egalitarian society in which there would be no discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex or creed. In regard to foreign relations, the Bangladesh Government have expressed their determination to follow a policy of non-alignment peaceful coexistence and apposition to colonialism, racialism and imperialism in all its manifestations. These are the ideals to which India also in dedicated. The Bangladesh Government have reiterated their anxiety to organize the expeditious return of their citizens who have found temporary refugee in our country, and to restore their lands and belongings to them. we shall naturally help in every way in these arrangements. I am confident that in future the Governments and the people of India and Bangladesh, who share common ideals and sacrifices, will forge a relationship based on the principles of mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit. Thus working together for freedom and democracy, we shall set an example of good neighborliness which alone can ensure peace, stability and progress in this region. Our good wishes to Bangladesh.
- See at the end of the statement
