BANGLADESH PM: Hasina recalls her historic moment with Indira Gandhi

Both Ms. Hasina and Ms. Gandhi went down memory lane and recalled the association between the two families since the 1970s.

Departing from her prepared speech, Ms. Hasina said: “We had nowhere to go at that time [after the massacre of her family in 1975]. Our government did not allow us to return to our homeland. It was Indira Gandhi who gave us shelter. We took political asylum and stayed in Delhi for six years. She was truly like our mother.”

Ms. Gandhi said she was fortunate to be present when Indira Gandhi greeted Shiekh Mujibur Rahman as he stopped in Delhi on January 10, 1972, while returning to his homeland. “Even today, I can sense the euphoria and excitement of that historic moment Indira Gandhi’s name is, of course, inextricably linked with the birth of Bangladesh,” she added.

“Indira Gandhi derived so much inspiration from her father. You too, followed your father’s footsteps. You have been a fighter from your student days and have experienced blood and tears, suffered and lost almost your entire family,” Ms. Gandhi told Ms. Hasina.