India on Saturday, 30 May paid homage to former Bangladesh President Ziaur Rahman on his 45th death anniversary, with the Indian High Commission in Dhaka recalling his iconic March 1971 radio address as a defining moment that galvanised resistance against Pakistani forces and contributed to Bangladesh's national liberation.

India's Tribute and What Was Said

In a post on X, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka wrote: 'As the people of Bangladesh gather today in memory of one of their nation's bravest sons — Shaheed President Zia-ur-Rahman Bir Uttam — we recall his famous radio address of March 1971, which electrified the masses, inspired them on a path of resistance against oppression and led to national liberation.'

The High Commission further added: 'Today, as then, India stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Bangladesh in a saga of shared sacrifices and a common journey towards progress and prosperity for both our peoples.'

Commemoration in Dhaka

Thousands of people, including leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), gathered at Zia Udyan in Dhaka to pay their respects, according to local media reports. BNP Chairman and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also paid tribute to his father — the party's founder and former President — on the occasion.

Ziaur Rahman was killed on 30 May 1981 at the Chattogram Circuit House, reportedly by a group of disgruntled army officers.

Modi–Tarique Exchange Ahead of Eid

The tribute came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed Eid al-Adha greetings to Tarique Rahman and the people of Bangladesh on Thursday, signalling New Delhi's readiness to deepen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.

Modi noted that India and Bangladesh share a partnership rooted in shared sacrifices, cultural bonds, and mutual goals of peace, stability, and growth. 'The Indian government looks forward to working closely with the Bangladesh government to strengthen people-centric cooperation in various domains. Our shared vision as reflected in our national development goals is aimed at the mutual benefit of our peoples,' he wrote.

Tarique Rahman thanked Modi for the wishes and expressed hope for continued strengthening of bilateral ties anchored in mutual respect, friendship, and goodwill.

Significance for India–Bangladesh Relations

India's public acknowledgement of Ziaur Rahman's legacy is diplomatically notable. Ziaur Rahman is associated with the founding of the BNP, which has historically had a more complex relationship with New Delhi compared to the Awami League. The High Commission's tribute, framed around the shared 1971 liberation narrative, signals India's intent to engage constructively with Bangladesh's current political dispensation. This comes amid an ongoing recalibration of ties following political changes in Dhaka.