India attaches highest importance to its ties with Bangladesh: Mukherjee

President Pranab Mukherjee has said that India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Bangladesh.

President Mukherjee was called on by the Speaker of the National Parliament of Bangladesh Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday.

President Mukherjee congratulated the Speaker on her assumption of the important office for the second term, and said that India is fully committed to be a partner in the economic development of Bangladesh.

"A democratic, stable and prosperous Bangladesh is in India's interest. Geographic and economic complementarities of the two countries can be used for mutual advantage to improve the lives of peoples in India and Bangladesh. India is fully committed to be a partner in the economic development of Bangladesh," President Mukherjee said on Friday.

Mukherjee recalled his visit to Bangladesh in March last year, and said the two countries must sustain and accelerate the current momentum in all areas of cooperation.

He said both India and Bangladesh have constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups to strengthen cooperation between the two Parliaments.

"There is a need to initiate programmes to stimulate greater interaction through exchanges. Frequent exchanges between the two Parliaments would add another, very useful, dimension to the vibrant and dynamic relationship between both the countries," he added.

Dr. Chaudhury warmly reciprocated the sentiments expressed by President Mukherjee and said Bangladesh is grateful to India for all its support.