President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday received his Bangladeshi counterpart Abdul Hamid in Rashtrapati Bhavan and hosted a dinner in his honour.
President Mukherjee welcomed Abdul Hamid to India and complimented him for the personal role played by him in the consolidation of India -Bangladesh relations.
President Mukherjee said that India attaches the highest importance to bilateral relations with Bangladesh, a close friend and neighbour, adding that India has always believed that a strong, stable and prosperous Bangladesh is in its interest.
He also said that it is greatly satisfying for India to see that Bangladesh, today, represents a high growth economy with a promising future. It is heartening to see the impressive strides made by Bangladesh on human development, healthcare, education, women's empowerment and other socio-economic fronts.
President Mukherjee also handed over to Abdul Hamid, the recordings of transmissions made by All India Radio and Doordarshan during the Liberation War of 1971.
He recalled that valiant Mukti Bahini soldiers fought hand in hand with Indian troops for Bangladesh's liberation. He expressed hope that these recordings will remind people of Bangladesh of those momentous times.
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Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid reciprocated the sentiments and praised President Mukherjee for having been a friend of Bangladesh for long.
Abdul said that the people of Bangladesh hold the President in the highest of regard and invited President Mukherjee to visit Bangladesh again.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former president Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, and few more political leaders were present at the dinner hosted by President Mukherjee for Abdul Hamid at Rashtrapati Bhawan.