Dhaka: Bangladesh on Tuesday celebrated the Bangladesh-India Friendship Day to mark New Delhi's recognition of Dhaka on December 6, 1971 -- 10 days before the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan.

It was decided to observe December 6 as Friendship Day when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bangladesh in March last year.

This year too, the day is being celebrated in both the countries through various programmes.

The President of Bangladesh Bharat Maitri Samiti, Md. Rashidul Alam, and General Secretary Narayan Saha Moni expressed hope that the relationship between the two countries will strengthen and advance economically.

Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah of Dhaka University said: "If India was not on our side in 1971, we could not have become independent."

(With UNI inputs)