India stands shoulder to shoulder with Bangladesh as a strong friend: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wished Bangladesh on its Independence Day and assured that New Delhi will stand by Dhaka as a strong friend.

Wishing development and prosperity for the neighbouring nation, Prime Minister while addressing the nation in the 30th edition of his radio address, said that India and Bangladesh will work together for peace, security and progress in the region.

"Today its 26th March which marks Bangladesh's' Independence Day and I would like to congratulate all my brothers and sisters of Bangladesh. And I wish development and prosperity for the nation. Today I assure the citizens of Bangladesh that India will stand by them like strong friend and we shall work together for peace, security and progress in the region and help it develop," he said in his address.

Invoking Rabindranath Tagore, Prime Minister Modi said that India feels proud to share the heritage of the Nobel Prize winner with Bangladesh.

"Rabindranath Tagore and his memories are shared legacy and we are proud that we share this heritage. The National Anthem of Bangladesh was also written by Gurudev Tagore," he added

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit India during from April 7-10.

The visit is being termed as Hasina's most important bilateral visit.

According to reports, Indian leaders and policymakers agree that Sheikh Hasina's government has gone far beyond the extra mile possible to improve Bangladesh-India relations.