Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tributes to the valour and sacrifices of Bangladeshi freedom fighters and Indian armed forces on the 50th anniversary of Vijay Diwas.
December 16 commemorates India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. Bangladesh, then part of Pakistan, became an independent country after the war.
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PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took part in the ceremony at National War Memorial to commemorate India's historic victory over Pakistan 50 years ago.
The Prime Minister took part in the reception ceremony of 'Swarnim Vijay Mashaals' at the War Memorial.
On December 16 last year, PM Modi had lit four victory torches from the eternal flame of the National War Memorial in Delhi.They were carried to various parts of India, including to villages of Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra awardees, of the 1971 war.
"On the 50th Vijay Diwas, I recall the great valour and sacrifice by the Muktijoddhas, Biranganas and bravehearts of the Indian Armed Forces. Together, we fought and defeated oppressive forces. Rashtrapati Ji's presence in Dhaka is of special significance to every Indian," PM Modi tweeted earlier in the day.