Dhaka, Dec 16 (V7N) — On the occasion of Victory Day, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Indian soldiers who took part in the 1971 war. However, his message did not mention Bangladesh’s Liberation War or the country’s independence.

On Tuesday, Modi shared a post on social media platform Facebook marking December 16 as India’s Victory Day. In the post, he referred to the date as a symbol of India’s historic victory in 1971 but did not mention Bangladesh by name.

In his message, Modi wrote: “On Victory Day, we remember those brave soldiers whose courage and sacrifice ensured India’s historic victory in 1971. Their selfless service and unwavering determination have saved our country and carved a moment of pride in our history.”

He further stated that the day stands as a salute to the heroism and mental strength of Indian soldiers, adding that their bravery would continue to inspire future generations of Indians.

Bangladesh achieved independence on December 16, 1971, following the surrender of Pakistani occupying forces. In the final phase of the Liberation War, the Indian Army joined the Mukti Bahini in the fight against Pakistan, which is why December 16 is also observed as Victory Day in India.

However, in this year’s Victory Day message, Prime Minister Modi focused solely on the valor of the Indian armed forces and India’s national security, without any reference to Bangladesh’s struggle for independence or the joint nature of the 1971 war.

END/SMA/AJ