India, Bangladesh committed towards preserving legacy of Liberation War: Jaishankar

Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on Sunday said that one of the very visible expressions of bonding between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina was a commitment to preserve memory and legacy of the Liberation War.

"One of the very visible expressions of bonding between two Prime Ministers was a commitment to preserve memory and legacy of the liberation war. Prime Minister Hasina sought our assistance in bringing back the mortal remains of freedom fighters of Bangladesh who had been buried in Indian soil during the 1971 war," he said.

Jaishankar said that Prime Minister Modi was deeply appreciative of the award conferred on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"We also welcomed the consensus on evacuating power of Northeast region of India to Muzaffarnagar through Bangladesh," he added.

Prime Minister Modi earlier received the Award of Liberation War Honour on behalf of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the Bangabhaban from Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid.

Jaishankar further said that Prime Minister Modi has also agreed to consider Bangladesh's proposal to introduce the second Maitree Express between Khulna and Kolkata.

"Prime Minister Modi also agreed to consider Bangladesh's proposal to introduce the second Maitree Express between Khulna and Kolkata. (Prime Minister) Hasina expressed her satisfaction at the Indianovernment agreeing to open a Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh at Guwahati," he added.

The Foreign Secretary further said that there is an enormous sense of optimism and confidence about the India-Bangladesh relationship.