Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, who attended the golden jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh's independence, inaugurated the renovated Ramna Kali Mandir in Dhaka during his visit to the country.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, who attended the golden jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh's independence, inaugurated the renovated Ramna Kali Mandir in Dhaka during his visit to the country. The historic mandir is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Kali and while addressing the Indian community, the President said that he sees the occasion as "a blessing from Maa Kali". The temple, was destroyed by the Pakistani forces in 1971. The Indian President described the historic temple as a symbol of the cultural and spiritual bonding among the people of India and Bangladesh. "This morning, I went to the historic Ramna Kali temple where I had the privilege of inaugurating the renovated temple. I look at it as a blessing from Maa Kali," he said. ALSO READ | Vijay Divas: History, significance and the glory President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates the renovated Ramna Kali Mandir in Dhaka. pic.twitter.com/WT1NHDEoLW — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 17, 2021 × "I have been told that the governments and the people of Bangladesh and India helped in restoring the temple which was demolished by the Pakistani forces during the war of liberation," Kovind said. He added, "This marks an auspicious finale to my visit to Bangladesh. This temple is the symbol of the cultural and spiritual bonding among the people of India and Bangladesh." ALSO READ | Indian PM Modi conferred with highest civilian honour of Bhutan. Here's what you should know Ramna Kali Mandir was demolished The temple was destroyed by the Pakistani forces in 1971 when they launched 'Operation Searchlight' to attack unarmed Bengalis. The temple is located at the heart of the capital city Dhaka. They set the temple and several important installations on fire in March 1971. "The Indian president opened the extended part of the Kali temple, offered special prayers and exchanged greetings with those involved in running the temple," a spokesman of the temple said. "President Kovind and his family members offered an exclusive special prayer inside the newly-inaugurated part of the temple," a Hindu priest familiar with the visit said.

President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates Dhaka's Kali Mandir, which was destroyed by Pakistan Army in 1971

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the friendship between India and Bangladesh to commemorate 'Maitri Diwas' on Monday (December 6). PM Modi also added that he is looking forward to continuing working with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to strengthen the existing ties.&nbsp;

The official website of India's Ministry of External Affairs stated that it was decided to commemorate December 6 as 'Maitri Diwas' during PM Modi's visit to the neighbouring country in March 2021, when he attended the national day of Bangladesh.&nbsp;

Worth noting and as mentioned by MEA, 10 days before the liberation of Bangladesh, India had recognised the country on December 6 in 1971. India was one of the first countries to establish bilateral diplomatic ties with Bangladesh.&nbsp;

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Taking to his Twitter, PM Modi wrote: "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."&nbsp;

Not just India and Bangladesh, the 'Maitri Diwas' is commemorated in 18 other countries as well. These countries are Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, Singapore, UK, Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE and USA.&nbsp;

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"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," wrote MEA.&nbsp;

As far as the ties between the two nations are concerned, Bangladesh is an important pillar of India's Neighbourhood First Policy and both share progressive, comprehensive and substantial cooperation in diverse areas ranging from security, border management and defence, infrastructure, health, culture, etc. &nbsp;

India and Bangladesh have closely cooperated to tackle the challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the friendship between India and Bangladesh to commemorate 'Maitri Diwas' on Monday (December 6). PM Modi also added that he is looking forward to continuing working with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to strengthen the existing ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the friendship between India and Bangladesh to commemorate 'Maitri Diwas' on Monday (December 6). PM Modi also added that he is looking forward to continuing working with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to strengthen the existing ties. The official website of India's Ministry of External Affairs stated that it was decided to commemorate December 6 as 'Maitri Diwas' during PM Modi's visit to the neighbouring country in March 2021, when he attended the national day of Bangladesh. Worth noting and as mentioned by MEA, 10 days before the liberation of Bangladesh, India had recognised the country on December 6 in 1971. India was one of the first countries to establish bilateral diplomatic ties with Bangladesh. ALSO READ | Russia-India defence cooperation important for relations between the two countries: Russian Defence Minister Taking to his Twitter, PM Modi wrote: "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." Not just India and Bangladesh, the 'Maitri Diwas' is commemorated in 18 other countries as well. These countries are Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, Singapore, UK, Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE and USA. ALSO READ | India, Russia sign pact for AK-203 rifles, renew military cooperation for 10-years "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," wrote MEA. As far as the ties between the two nations are concerned, Bangladesh is an important pillar of India's Neighbourhood First Policy and both share progressive, comprehensive and substantial cooperation in diverse areas ranging from security, border management and defence, infrastructure, health, culture, etc. India and Bangladesh have closely cooperated to tackle the challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

'Maitri Diwas': PM Narendra Modi looking forward to 'expand and deepen' ties between India and Bangladesh

Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen who was in India for the foreign office consultations has called ties with India "deep and historic". Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Masud lauded India's Vaccine diplomacy, saying, "India has made available not only to Bangladesh but also to other Neighbours, as part of the Neighbourhood first policy of India and we are deeply appreciative of this."

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary says ties with India "Deep & Historic" | Masud Bin Momen interview