Indira Gandhi Peace Award conferred to Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasin

President Mrs. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil conferred Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2009 on Prime Minister of Bangladesh Mrs. Sheikh Hasina at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion Mrs. Patil said that India is committed to strengthen the relationship with Bangladesh and believe that both countries have to determination to forge stronger bonds of cooperation and trust.

Mrs. Patil said that both countries have common challenges which require close cooperation with each other. She said that India which is itself a target of terrorism will support Bangladesh in fighting divisive forces.

Accepting the Prize, Bangladesh Prime Minister Mrs. Sheikh Hasina said that India and Bangladesh are committed to peace as was also conceived by Indira Gandhi. She said India's success with peace and progress is due largely to the strength of her democracy, nurtured under the stewardship of great and visionary leaders.

Mrs Hasina said that India and Bangladesh have a shared history, common values and ways of life and she will take to these relationship to a higher and meaningful level.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh appreciated Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina's initiatives for socio economic developments of Bangladesh. UPA Chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi also spoke on the occasion.