Dhaka: Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has said Bangladesh is India's closest friend and relationship between the two countries is exemplary in many ways.

He said India attaches highest importance to its relations with Bangladesh, a close neighbour and with which they share a lot in common.

"India-Bangladesh shares a common bond of history, language, culture and strong people-to-people ties. This shared history unites us in unique and special ways," said the Indian President when officer trainees of Bangladesh Foreign Service attending a special course at the Foreign Service Institute, New Delhi met him at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday.

Welcoming the young diplomats of Bangladesh, Pranab said he was delighted to see so many young faces from the Bangladesh Foreign Service.

He said they were worthy representatives of a great nation and they will bring about new ideas and a new system of governance, according to Press Information Bureau of India.

The Indian President emphasized that to create a 'happy society' is also the responsibility of modern governance.

He said he was confident that the young Bangladeshi diplomats would be able to carry forward the legacy of trust and amity between the two countries from theird , as they pursue their career in the Bangladesh Foreign Service.

The president said today, when Bangladesh is free and liberated and engaged in its own development, the sacrifices of its martyrs is vindicated.

"It is heartening to see impressive strides made by Bangladesh on human development, healthcare, education, women empowerment and other socio-economic fronts," Pranab said.

He reminded the young diplomats that the future of Bangladesh is in their hands.