British Ministers and senior parliament members paid profound homage to Bangladesh’s
Founding Father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and lauded Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina’s outstanding leadership in strengthening inclusive democracy, economic progress,
climate initiatives and regional security at the 51 st Anniversary of Independence and National
Day Reception, hosted by High Commissioner for Bangladesh to the UK Saida Muna
Tasneem on Monday at the Great Hall of London’s prestigious venue Methodist Church
Convention Centre at Westminster, next to the British Parliament.
Chairman of the Conservative Party and Cabinet Minister without portfolio Rt Hon Oliver
Dowden MP attended the reception as the Chief Guest while British Foreign and
Development Office (FCDO) Minister for South and Central Asia, North Africa, United
Nations and the Commonwealth Lord Tariq Ahmad was the Guest of Honour.
UK Minister for Defence Jeremy Quin MP and Minister for London and Small Business,
Consumers and Labour Markets Paul Scully MP attended and spoke on the occasion as
special guests.
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP, Sam Tarry MP representing the Labour Party
Leader and member of Scottish Parliament Foysol Choudhury MSP also spoke on the
occasion.
Apart from the above speakers, a number of cross-party MPs along with Commonwealth
Secretary-General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, International Maritime Organisation Secretary-
General Kitack Lim, high commissioners and ambassadors of more than 50 countries
including, High Commissioner for India to the UK Gaitri Issar Kumar; and business
association leaders, academics and eminent members of the British-Bangladeshi diaspora
attended the reception.
Recalling Bangabandhu's maiden visit to London on 8 January 1972 as President of
Bangladesh and meeting with Conservative Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath, Oliver
Dowden MP said, “Not only was the historic meeting at No 10 a powerful symbol of
Bangladesh's independence, but it laid the foundation for a deep and enduring partnership
between the UK and Bangladesh. Over time, we've established a strong bond with
Bangladesh, bound by kinship, cultural ties, and shared values."
The Conservative Chairman commended Bangladesh’s recent economic growth and progress
and said, “The people of Bangladesh have now begun to see Bangabandhu’s vision of an
inclusive democratic and secular value-based country are being realized, and the UK would
work together with Bangladesh to build a brighter and more prosperous future.”
