Indian Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad speaks at the celebration of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day, and Indian Council on Cultural Relations (ICCR) Day at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the capital yesterday. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran (left), and Bangladesh's Railway Minister Mujibul Hoque (middle) are also seen.Photo: STAR

Visiting Indian Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad yesterday termed the murder of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman an extreme cruelty in history.
“How cruel the assailants were in assassinating a great leader of the world and the creator of Bangladesh. It is regrettable for the people of Bangladesh. I saw his picture beside the former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi,” he said.
The Indian minister made the remarks when addressing a celebration programme on the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day and Indian Council on Cultural Relations (ICCR) Day at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the capital.
The High Commission of India in Bangladesh organised the programme to receive Bangladeshi participants for ITEC and ICCR scholarships.
Bangladeshis have been availing training facilities under ITEC since the country's independence. In the last two years, over 400 participants from Bangladesh have participated in the ITEC programme.
Ghulam Nabi Azad said the birth of the two countries is historical and there are ample similarities in their culture, language, food habits and dress -- a trait very rare between countries in the world.
Railways Minister Md Mujibul Hoque recalled the contributions of India in Bangladesh's Liberation War and appreciated the Indian government for sharing their skills in technology and human resource capabilities to develop Bangladesh.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran said assistance provided by his country to Bangladesh was a commitment following the visits of the two prime ministers into the two countries.