<span style="color: #222222;">'Maitri Diwas' marking the day India recognized Bangladesh ten days before its liberation on 16 December 1971 will be celebrated in 18 countries across the world. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release that the day will be commemorated in Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, Singapore, UK. Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, and USA.<br />''<br />''India was one of the first countries to establish bilateral diplomatic relations with the newly independent Bangladesh in 1971.<br />''<br />''During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh in March this year to attend the national day of Bangladesh, it was decided to commemorate December 6 as the Maitri Diwas or Friendship Day.<br />''<br />''The Maitri Diwas is a reflection of the deep and abiding friendship between the people of India and Bangladesh that has been forged in blood and shared sacrifices, said the MEA in its statement.</span>