The neighbouring countries of Pakistan and Bangladesh celebrated their national days in the Indian Capital by organising grand receptions at their respective missions.

Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood, who had gone to Islamabad for consultations with his government in the midst of a row with India over the treatment of High Commission officials in respective missions, returned to New Delhi on 22 March to welcome his guests at the Pakistan Day celebrations the next day.

The reception was attended by around 300 guests, including political figures, dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corps, businessmen, media and civil society representatives, and Pakistani nationals in India. Union Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was the chief guest at the reception. The High Commissioner and the Indian Minister stood on the stage as the national anthems of India and Pakistan were played.

Speaking on the occasion, the Pakistani envoy stressed the importance of changing the past pattern of the bilateral relationship with India. He said, “I do hope that at this pivotal moment, with India and Pakistan at 70, there would be hard reflection on the time lost, and the opportunities missed.”

The guests were served with delicious Pakistani cuisine and enchanting music in a welcoming ambience, elegantly decorated in the lush green Chancery lawns with lighting and floral arrangements. A slide show depicting Pakistan’s achievements in diverse fields over the past 70 years was also on display at the reception.

On 26 March, the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi celebrated the 47th anniversary of Independence and National Day by paying glowing tributes to Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and other Independence martyrs.

Officers, staff and their family members joined compatriots at home and abroad in simultaneous singing of national anthem Amar Sonar Bangla at a morning function at the Chancery. Messages from Bangladesh President Md Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam were read out on the occasion. Earlier, High Commissioner Syed Muazzem Ali hoisted the national flag as a BAF band played their national anthem.

In the evening, the High Commissioner hosted a reception at the mission, at which Union Minister of State for External Affairs Gen (Retd) V K Singh was the chief guest. Envoys of several countries, top diplomats, government officials, leading businessmen, literary personalities and journalists attended the reception.