DHAKA: Expressing full commitment to Bangladesh`s economic development, President Pranab Mukherjee has said that it was in the interest of India to have a democratic, stable and prosperous Bangladesh.

These views were expressed by the President when Speaker of Bangladesh`s `Jatiya Sangsad` (National Parliament) Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury called on him.

Congratulating her on assumption of the office for the second term, the President said India attaches highest importance to its relations with Bangladesh.

"A democratic, stable and prosperous Bangladesh is in India`s interest. Geographic and economic complementaries of the two countries can be used for mutual advantage to improve the lives of peoples in India and Bangladesh," Venu Rajamony, Press Secretary of Rashtrapati Bhavan quoted the President as saying.

India is fully committed to be a partner in the economic development of Bangladesh, he said.

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

The President 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," the President said.

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

Source: Economic Times
BDST:  0933 HRS, FEB 16, 2014