'India Our Trusted Friend, Supported Us During Liberation War': Bangladesh PM

Amid the ongoing polls in Bangladesh on Sunday to elect its 300-seat parliament, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the country is lucky to have India as a "trusted friend" that provided crucial support during the Liberation War in 1971.

''We are very lucky...India is our trusted friend. During our Liberation War, they supported us...After 1975, when we lost our whole family...they gave us shelter. So our best wishes to the people of India", she said.

PM Hasina also reflected on the tragic event of her family's massacre in 1975, when she lost her entire family, and subsequently sought refuge in India for several years, before returning to Bangladesh and taking over the Awami League.

In light of her own personal tragedy, Hasina highlighted the significance of democracy for the progress of the nation and expressed her government's commitment to ensuring the democratic rights of the people for years to come.

"Our country is sovereign and independent...We have a big population. We have established people's democratic rights...I want to make sure that democracy should continue in this country and without democracy, you can't make any development. As we are a long-term democratic system from 2009 to 2023, that is why Bangladesh made this much of an achievement", she said.

PM Hasina also emphasized the conducive environment her government has created for people to freely exercise their right to vote.

"My heartfelt thanks to the people of Bangladesh. There were many obstacles but the people of our country are very much aware of their voting rights and the need for polls...We were able to create an atmosphere where people were able to come out and vote", she added.

A team of three senior members of the International Election Observers' Team, appointed by the Election Commission of India, reached Dhaka on Friday to participate in the monitoring process.

Over 170 million people in Bangladesh will vote to elect 299 lawmakers during the 12th national election, despite a boycott by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, demanding Hasina's resignation.

Women make up almost half of the nearly 120 million eligible voters, and first-time voters number about 15 million.

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