Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma has underlined the deep cultural affinity between India and Bangladesh as a primary source of strength for their bilateral relationship.

He made these remarks while the High Commission of India and the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) celebrated the 77th anniversary of the founding of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) as “ICCR Day” on Friday at the IGCC premises in Gulshan.

Describing the ICCR as the "cultural heartbeat" of Indian diplomacy, High Commissioner Verma highlighted its pivotal role in fostering a vibrant cultural dialogue that transcends borders.

He emphasized that the organization serves as a vital platform for strengthening connections between the two nations, reaffirming that the enduring cultural partnership remains a key pillar of their bilateral ties.

The celebrations featured a special cultural program showcasing musical, dance, and yoga performances by IGCC students and ICCR alumni from Bangladesh.

A notable highlight of the event was a performance by acclaimed singer and ICCR scholar Priyanka Gope of Dhaka University, who presented a selection of Rabindra Sangeet and classical songs.

To mark the occasion, the High Commissioner also inaugurated a two-day art camp titled “Sampriti.”

The camp brought together over thirty celebrated Bangladeshi artists and ICCR scholars, including luminaries such as Farida Zaman, Jamal Ahmed, Md Eunus, Nissar Hossain and Ranjit Das.

The High Commission announced on Saturday that the artworks created during this camp will be displayed publicly during a two-week exhibition at the IGCC, which is scheduled to be inaugurated on April 30.

During the event, the High Commissioner paid a heartfelt tribute to senior artist and ICCR scholar Tarun Ghosh.

Tarun Ghosh had accepted the invitation to participate in the "Sampriti" art camp but tragically passed away on April 9.

The gathering stood in remembrance of his contributions to the artistic community and the cultural bond between the two countries.