New Delhi, Nov 19 (IANS): India attaches the highest importance to relations with Bangladesh and their bilateral relations at present are the "best ever", President Pranab Mukherjee has said.

"Relations between India and Bangladesh are based on mutual benefit, equality and respect for sovereignty. India-Bangladesh relations are a good example of progress in looking at a shared future. Our relations today are the best ever since 1974," Mukherjee said delivering the annual Cavalry Memorial Lecture organised here on Wednesday by the Cavalry Officers Association.

"India attaches the highest importance to bilateral relations with Bangladesh. We have always believed that strong, stable and prosperous neighbours are in our interest," the president said.

"India and Bangladesh are not just neighbours. We are two nations bound by the threads of history, religion, culture, language and kinship. Our growing cooperation is a picture of shared prosperity amongst neighbours. With Bangladesh, we now need to recapture the spirit of the Liberation War of 1971 to build a new future," he added.

The Cavalry Officers Association is an organisation of serving and retired officers of the Indian Armoured Corps that conducts this lecture every year to pay tribute to a decorated soldier of the Corps.

This year's lecture was in honour of Major D.S. Narang, the first recipient of the Maha Vir Chakra in the 1971 war for the liberation of Bangladesh.