A 122 member strong Bangladesh armed forces contingent departed for India to take part in the Republic Day parade on 26 January. The Bangladesh Armed Forces contingent comprises Soldiers of the Bangladesh Army, Sailors of the Bangladesh Navy and Air Warriors of the Bangladesh Air Force. It left Dhaka by a special C-17 Globemaster Indian Air Force Flight on Tuesday.

According to a press release issued by the High Commission of India in Dhaka this is only the third time in India’s history that any foreign military contingent has been invited to participate in the National Parade at Rajpath in Delhi. It is especially significant as the year 2021 marks 50 years of the Liberation War of Bangladesh.

A majority of the soldiers in Bangladesh contingent come from the most distinguished units of the Bangladesh Army, comprising 1,2,3,4,8,9,10 & 11 East Bengal Regiments and 1,2 and 3 Field Artillery Regiments, who fought in the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.

The statement said that the Bangladesh contingent will carry forward the legacy of the brave Liberation War fighters ‘Muktijoddhas’, who fought for freedom, justice and their people.