New Delhi: Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday highly praised the constant efforts of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for taking forward Bangladesh and solidifying its relations with India.

Pranab made the remarks when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met him at Rashtrapati Bhaban in the afternoon.

PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

He said both Pranab and Hasina discussed various matters relating to bilateral interests, including the decisions agreed upon by the two countries during the talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.

Pranab said he was very much touched personally with the gesture of Sheikh Hasina as she had taken the trouble to visit India to convey her compassion after the demise of his wife Suvra Mukherjee.

Sheikh Hasina thanked the Indian President for his wholehearted support to Bangladesh during its Liberation War.

They also recalled the memories which both of their families shared during Sheikh Hasina's exiled life in India after the killing of Bangabandhu in 1975, the press secretary said.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud, Law Minister Anisul Huq, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, PM's Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam were, among others, present.

Later, Sheikh Hasina joined dinner hosted by Indian President in honour of her.