President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged India to take effective measures for the fair distribution of water from the Ganges, Teesta and other common rivers between the two countries.

He made the call when Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Tuesday morning.

The president stressed resolving outstanding issues between Bangladesh and India through discussions to further strengthen and sustain bilateral relations.

He said fair and mutually acceptable solutions to issues of common interest would help increase trust and confidence between the peoples of the two countries.

Highlighting the direct link between the management of common rivers and the livelihoods of people in both countries, Mirza Fakhrul urged India to take effective steps to ensure fair water sharing.

In response, Trivedi said his government was taking positive measures in this regard.

The president said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relations with India as its closest neighbour and an important trade and development partner.

He said Bangladesh wants to build a respectful, forward-looking and mutually beneficial partnership with India based on sovereign equality, national interests, dignity and the welfare of the people.

During the meeting, the high commissioner congratulated Mirza Fakhrul on assuming the presidency and conveyed his greetings.

He said India attaches great importance to its relations with Bangladesh and reaffirmed his country's commitment to expanding cooperation in various areas, including people-to-people ties.

The president said there was significant scope for expanding cooperation in trade, water resources management, technology, connectivity and culture, as well as people-to-people relations.

He expressed hope that the two countries could work more closely to achieve shared peace, development and prosperity by harnessing the potential of their peoples.

Trivedi expressed hope that Bangladesh and India would continue working together and sought the president's cooperation in discharging his duties.

The president wished him a successful tenure and expressed hope that it would contribute to making bilateral relations more productive, positive and people-oriented.

Senior officials from the President's Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indian High Commission were present at the meeting.