New Delhi, Oct 18 : President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday urged the youth delegation from Bangladesh to work to make the friendship between New Delhi and Dhaka strong and permanent.

Welcoming the youth delegation from Bangladesh who called on him at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here, President Mukherjee said that this is the third visit by a youth delegation from Bangladesh organized by the Government of India.

He was very happy to meet the first and second groups who made similar visits to India in the previous two years under this important initiative.

The President said that India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh is a close neighbour with whom India shares so much. The two countries share not only borders but also common history, culture and heritage," he told the delegation

President Mukherjee said that India will always extend its hand of cooperation for the welfare, progress, upliftment and onward march of the people of Bangladesh. He wished the delegation members a very enjoyable and educative tour.

The High Commission of India in Dhaka in co-ordination with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Government of Bangladesh has organized this visit of the third youth delegation to India.

The exchange programme involves interaction with local youth, visits to tourist and cultural sites and introduction to economic and social activities. (ANI)