World leaders, including the UN secretary-general and the US president, have congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the golden jubilee of the country's independence.

While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended in person yesterday's concluding event of the nationwide 10-day celebrations, others sent video messages that were projected at the programme at the National Parade Ground in the capital.

Messages were sent by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, United States President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"The people have made tremendous strides over the past five decades, particularly on issues of social development and disaster preparedness. I congratulate you on this progress, including your graduation from the category of least developed countries," said Guterres in a congratulatory message.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

"Bangladesh is playing a very important role in the world stage as the largest contributor to the UN Peacekeeping operations, chair of the Climate-Vulnerable Forum and host to hundreds and thousands of refugees from Myanmar.

"The UN is your steadfast partner in all these areas. We will continue to stand beside Bangladesh in tackling the climate crisis and working towards the sustainable development goals," he noted.

Joe Biden sent a message, read out by US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller, reflecting on how the strong partnership between the US and Bangladesh was formed based on their shared commitments to democracy and human rights.

"I look forward to working with you to strengthen these commitments to build an even brighter future for the people of our nations over the next 50 years and beyond," said Biden.

Joe Biden. File photo

"Your hosting of one million Rohingya refugees is an example to the world of humanity and generosity. The United States will continue to be a steadfast partner in finding a durable solution to this crisis."

He also applauded Bangladesh's commitment on climate change and reiterated his administration's pledge to cooperate with Bangladesh on this issue.

Putin's message was read out by Alexander I Ignatov, Russia's ambassador to Bangladesh.

"I am confident that through our joint efforts we will ensure the further development of constructive bilateral cooperation in various fields for the benefit of our peoples in the interest of strengthening regional security and stability," he said.

In a pre-recorded video message, Boris Johnson recalled how instrumental Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's UK visit in 1972 was in forging the friendship between the two countries.

"The bond between us is incarnated by the 600,000-strong British-Bangladeshis who contribute so much to the United Kingdom every day. I think particularly of the fantastic doctors and nurses in our National Health Service, many of whom are helping to treat and vaccinate our people in our battle against Covid-19."

"Today, Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and we share the commitment to create an evermore prosperous and environmentally sustainable future," added the United Kingdom PM.

In his message, he fondly remembered being welcomed to Bangladesh with a great deal of warmth and generosity in 2018 and said that he looked forward to working with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the upcoming COP26 in Glasgow.

Imran Khan in his message said, "I extend a cordial invitation to Your Excellency to visit Pakistan at the earliest convenience. I am confident that this would open a new chapter in our fraternal relations," said Khan.

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Photo: AFP

"We would like to fortify our existing bonds with brotherly Bangladesh and build new ones for our succeeding generations, as we believe the destinies of our two peoples are intertwined.

"On this occasion, let us renew our resolve to jointly work for a better future for our peoples and closer ties between our two countries," he mentioned.

In his message, Erdogan said, "The sentiments of brotherhood among our peoples, rooted in our common historical and cultural heritage, strengthen our mutual will to further develop our relations.

"Your esteemed father, late Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has taken his place among the prominent statesmen of the 20th century with the struggles he went through, and the sacrifices he made for his nation throughout his life," he mentioned.

Macron sent a statement via the French Embassy in Dhaka, congratulating the Bangladeshi people.

"This important date in the history of a young and promising State was made possible thanks to the admirable courage of the Bengali people to defend their cultural heritage and freedom at the call of the Father of the Bangladeshi Nation.

"In 1971, André Malraux called on the world to support the freedom of the Bengalis. Half a century later, Bangladesh can be proud of its achievements, and France remains ready to best meet its needs in the areas of the environment, energy, telecommunications, the blue economy and sovereignty in matters of defence and security, in the spirit of an inclusive, open and secure Indo-Pacific space.

"The Bangladeshi government and people have shown their generosity by welcoming the Rohingyas forced to flee, once again, Myanmar in 2017. Your country has asserted itself as a responsible power: it is the main provider of troops for the peacekeeping operations in the world; it defends multilateralism and the norms of international law; it is committed to the defence of the environment and access to essential global public goods, such as health," he noted.

Earlier in the day, Prince Charles of Wales had also released a video message congratulating Bangladesh on the golden jubilee of its independence and commending the achievements in "bringing more than 50 million people out of extreme poverty since 1990; increasing life expectancy and reducing infant mortality; and turning the economy into one of the fastest-growing in the world."

The UK and Bangladesh "have a shared history, a shared constitutional commitment to freedom, the rule of law, free speech and democracy and an affection which continues to bind us in friendship."

The prince also commended Bangladesh's "considerable leadership on tackling the existential threats from accelerating climate change" and welcomed "the role of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in chairing the Climate Vulnerable Forum of nations most affected by the multiple threats of global warming, climate change, and biodiversity loss".

King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf also wrote to President Abdul Hamid, congratulating Bangladesh and wishing the best for the people of the country.

Others who extended felicitations include US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh ITO Naoki.