Rising Bengal Dhaka Bureau: Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said that the worthy legacy of Bangabandhu's diplomatic acumen and foresight before and after independence, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken Bangladesh to new heights in the field of international diplomacy.

The foreign minister said all the officials of the foreign ministry should be prepared to face the future challenges and to harness the immense potential of Bangladesh South Asia has once again become the centre of diplomacy all over the world, as it was in 1971, due to Bangladesh's position and involvement in the international arena.

Dr Momen mentioned that 65 Bengali officers and staff of the then Pakistan Mission in Kolkata, led by M Hossain Ali, hoisted the first Bangladesh flag on foreign soil on 18 April 1971, pledging allegiance to independent Bangladesh Earlier on 6 April that year, two officers from the then Pakistan Embassy in Delhi, KM Shihabuddin and Amjadul Haque, resigned pledging allegiance to Bangladesh.

Following their courage and patriotism, Bengali diplomats serving in different parts of the world, including South America and Europe, left the side of Pakistan and stood for the independence of Bangladesh Bangladesh Foreign Service is the proud legacy of the inspiration of these brave sons The Foreign Minister said that Bangladesh has been following Bangabandhu's motto of'Friendship to all, hostility to none'and it has proved timely in the country's diplomacy for the last 50 years.

The Foreign Minister said that Bangladesh's contribution to the international arena in the fields of peace, development and humanitarian activities and the hard work of the dedicated officers of the Foreign Service have made Bangladesh proud on the golden jubilee of its independence The Foreign Minister expressed her gratitude to all the officers and staff for brightening the image of Bangladesh by working in foreign missions for the last 50 years.

She hoped that the young officers of the Foreign Service will work all over the world to build Bangabandhu's Golden Bengal, imbibing the Prime Minister's'We can do it'spirit She thanked the officers and staff for their courageous work amid the Corona pandemic.

The foreign minister expressed happiness over the 147 greetings and 30 video messages sent by the heads of government, state and international organizations of different countries of the world on the occasion of Mujib Year and the Golden Jubilee of Independence, and thanked the officials who played a role in this.

The foreign minister recalled with gratitude the contribution of about 12 million Bangladeshis in nation building and promoting Bangladesh in the international arena Dr Momen thanked all the friendly countries for their trust and support to Bangladesh's potential Foreign Service Day is being celebrated this year as part of the celebrations of Bangabandhu's birth centenary and the Golden Jubilee of Independence.