President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday stressed the need for resolving outstanding issues between Bangladesh and India through dialogue and urged India to take effective measures for the equitable sharing of waters of common rivers, including the Ganges and the Teesta.
Mutual trust and confidence between the peoples of the two countries would increase further if issues of common interest are resolved through just and mutually acceptable solutions, he said.
The president made the remarks when Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Tuesday morning, said President's press secretary Md Sarwar Alam.
Noting that the management of common rivers is directly linked to the lives and livelihoods of the people of both countries, he urged India to take effective measures for the fair distribution of waters of common rivers.
Dinesh Trivedi informed the President that his government is taking positive steps in this regard.
The President said Bangladesh attaches special importance to its relations with India as its closest neighbour and an important trade and development partner.
He said Bangladesh is keen to build a respectful, forward-looking, mutually respectful and mutually beneficial partnership with India while upholding sovereign equality, national interests and dignity, and the welfare of people.
During the meeting, the Indian High Commissioner congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and conveyed his warm greetings and good wishes on assuming office as President of Bangladesh.
Mentioning that India attaches great importance to its relations with Bangladesh, Trivedi reaffirmed his country's commitment to expanding cooperation in various fields, including people-to-people relations.
He said India is keen to further strengthen relations between the two countries based on mutual respect, trust and cooperation too.
The President thanked the High Commissioner for his greetings and asked him to convey his sincere gratitude and greetings to the President of India.
The President said there is enormous potential for further expanding cooperation in various areas, including trade, water resources management, technology, connectivity, culture and people-to-people relations.
He said India and Bangladesh could work more closely to achieve shared peace, development and prosperity by utilising the capabilities and potential of the peoples of both countries.
The Indian High Commissioner expressed hope that the two countries would continue to work together and sought the President's cooperation in discharging his responsibilities.
The President wished him a successful tenure, expressing hope that his tenure would contribute to making relations between the two countries more fruitful, positive and people-oriented.
Senior officials from the President's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indian High Commission were present during the meeting.
The High Commissioner conveyed warm greetings to the President and wished him success for his continued service to the people of Bangladesh,said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
The discussion underscored the deep-rooted bonds between India and Bangladesh, built on shared history, close cultural ties and people-to-people relations, it said.
They emphasised the importance of strengthening the bilateral partnership for the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two sovereign countries.