Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman took part as a special guest in the Independence Day parade held to mark the 61st anniversary of the Maldives' independence.

Md Kamrul Islam Bhuiyan, public relations officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gave the information in a press release on Monday, 27 July.

According to the release, Dr Khalilur Rahman joined the parade at Republic Square in Male on Sunday as a special guest of the Maldives government. He was welcomed by the Maldivian Foreign Minister, Iruthisham Adam.

Members of various branches of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) performed a ceremonial march past and other drills, reflecting the country's discipline, heritage and national pride.

The foreign minister later attended a colourful cultural programme showcasing the Maldives' rich heritage and culture. The day-long celebrations ended with a fireworks display.

Earlier in the morning, Dr Khalilur Rahman planted a "Christina" tree sapling at Lonuziyaaraiy Park in Male under the Five Million Trees Project launched by Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Maldivian Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam and the country's Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Ali Shareef, were present.

At the planting ceremony, Dr Khalilur Rahman praised President Muizzu's initiative to expand greenery. He said the Bangladesh government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is also implementing a programme to plant 250 million saplings over the next five years.

He said the two initiatives of Bangladesh and the Maldives reflect a shared commitment to environmentally sustainable development, tackling climate change and protecting the planet for future generations.

The foreign minister also recalled the planting of a large number of neem trees on the plain of Arafat in Saudi Arabia at the initiative of Bangladesh's former president Shaheed Ziaur Rahman. He noted that the trees are now known as "Zia Trees".

Dr Khalilur Rahman is currently visiting the Maldives as a special guest at the invitation of its government for the 61st anniversary of independence.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.