Prosperous Bangladesh, India's vital interest: Kovind

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind today said that a strong, prosperous and progressive Bangladesh is in India's fundamental national interest.

His remarks came when a delegation of young Members of Parliament and political leaders from Bangladesh called on him at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, according to a press release from the president's house.

Welcoming the delegation, the Indian president said he was delighted to meet the next generation of politicians from Bangladesh.

India and Bangladesh are tied together by shared history, culture and familial ties, he said.

Kovind said the two countries are confronted with common challenges adding that "Our shared aspirations should lead us to find the best ways to jointly harnessing our resources and capacities," the president added. 

He urged members of the delegation to be ambitious in thinking of new ways in which "our partnership can help drive development and create shared prosperity."